By Karen James
In a recent development, Justice Bello Kawo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has put a hold on the remittance of funds to the 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Anambra State from the Federation Account. This move comes as a result of an ex parte application filed by legal practitioner Mr. Chukwuebuka Mmeni.
The suit in question, supported by oral submissions from the applicant’s counsel Barr. N. O. Okpe, includes the Accountant General of the Federation, the Minister of Finance, the Attorney General of the Federation, Anambra State Government, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as the first to fifth defendants.
Justice Kawo, presiding over the case, has granted all the prayers sought by the applicant after examining the ex parte motion, which also entails barring the 21 LGAs in Anambra State from receiving allocations from the consolidated revenue funds. Additionally, the Court has ordered the EFCC to investigate the utilization of funds accrued to the 21 local government areas in the state from March 2022 to April 2024, specifically focusing on how the State Government, under the leadership of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, deployed and used these funds.
The timing of this decision is noteworthy as the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) recently nominated three individuals per local government area in Anambra State. Governor Soludo is expected to choose one person from each area, whom he will appoint as the Transition Committee Chairman for their respective LGAs.
As the legal proceedings progress, it remains to be seen how this restriction on fund remittance and the subsequent EFCC investigation will impact the governance and financial management of Anambra State.
