By Uzair Adam
A Kano State High Court has issued an interim order to prevent federal agencies from interfering with the monthly statutory allocations meant for Kano State’s 44 local government councils.
The ruling came after members of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and other concerned residents filed a Motion Ex-Parte on November 1, 2024.
The applicants, including Ibrahim Uba Shehu, Ibrahim Shehu Abubakar, Usman Isa, Sarki Alhaji Kurawa, and Malam Usman Imam, expressed concerns over potential delays or withholding of essential funds for local governance.
In the order dated November 4, Justice Ibrahim Musa Muhammad granted permission for the applicants to serve court documents to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), and eight commercial banks.
The case, filed by Bashir Yusif Muhammad Esq and Umar Bala Salisu Esq, highlights the impact that withholding these allocations could have on local government operations.
Justice Muhammad stated that federal agencies, their representatives, or agents must refrain from actions that could hinder disbursement of the funds.
The court appointed Red Star Express Plc as a special bailiff to ensure service of the documents to respondents, who are outside the court’s jurisdiction in Kano State.
The interim injunction explicitly prohibits any measures to delay, withhold, or interfere with the funds until the court addresses the motion on notice.
The matter has been adjourned to November 21, 2024, when the court will further hear the motion.