The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other federal accountability agencies have revealed that there is no verifiable evidence that funds allocated to local government councils from the Federation Account get to them directly.
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The disclosure deepens long-standing concerns that local governments lack financial autonomy, despite constitutional provisions and a Supreme Court ruling affirming their independence.
The revelation came during a capacity-building workshop on the Local Government Accountability Framework (LGAF) held in Jos, Plateau State, for Chairmen of the 17 Local Government Areas. The programme was organized by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) initiative, funded by the European Union and implemented by International IDEA.
The event brought together several key institutions, including the ICPC, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), and the Federal Ministry of Justice (FMoJ).
Speaking at the forum, Executive Secretary of the ICPC, Clifford Oparaodu, lamented that despite judicial backing for local government autonomy, councils still cannot determine the exact amount they receive from the Federation Account.
“Funds released from the Federation Account are channelled through the States Joint Accounts Committees. Most local governments do not know their actual allocations and only accept whatever is handed to them. This makes planning impossible and undermines accountability,” he said.
Oparaodu noted that while the ICPC cannot enforce court rulings, continued disregard for them weakens transparency and development at the grassroots.
Also speaking, Coordinator of the LGAF, Umar Yakubu, said there is still no evidence that local government funds arrive directly at council treasuries, as state governments continue to control the joint accounts.
“Until citizens actively demand transparency, development at the grassroots will remain stunted,” Yakubu warned.
He added that local governments receive about 20% of total national revenue, yet weak accountability systems and low citizen engagement mean the funds rarely translate into better healthcare, education, or infrastructure.
Officials of the CCB urged council finance officers to uphold ethical financial conduct, while the Federal Ministry of Justice emphasized the use of the Freedom of Information Act to promote transparency.
On its part, the BPP highlighted that over 60% of government spending is done through procurement, cautioning that secrecy in procurement processes encourages corruption.
The Fiscal Responsibility Commission reiterated that accountability in public finance is a constitutional obligation, not a matter of preference.
