{
  "id": 19248646,
  "title": "LG autonomy: EFCC probes 774 chairmen’s spending",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/lg-autonomy-efcc-probes-774-chairmens-spending",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-10T00:16:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/lg-autonomy-efcc-probes-774-chairmens-spending/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is currently investigating the financial management and spending of the 774 local government chairmen across Nigeria, reports The PUNCH. This covert probe, conducted by zonal directorates, aims to determine if the councils have demonstrated accountability in managing their allocated funds since gaining financial autonomy. The EFCC is particularly interested in assessing the chairmen's ability to administer public resources and the impact of this autonomy on service delivery. An official from a state Ministry of Local Government confirmed that all chairmen in the state are being investigated. However, sources within the EFCC emphasized that the investigation is discreetly conducted across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with the goal of establishing whether the councils have shown accountability and managerial competence. The investigation follows the Supreme Court's ruling in May 2024, which granted local governments financial autonomy and barred state governors from controlling these funds. This development, championed by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, was met with opposition from governors who argued for caretaker committees instead. The Supreme Court's July 2024 judgment, led by Justice Garba Lawal, upheld the autonomy, directing the Accountant-General of the Federation to pay allocations directly to local governments. Since then, the EFCC has taken steps to monitor the budget performance of all local governments to ensure funds are utilized as approved, aiming to strengthen governance at the grassroots and address concerns over accountability.",
  "summary": "The EFCC is secretly investigating the spending of all 774 local government chairmen in Nigeria following the Supreme Court’s financial autonomy ruling. Read More: https://punchng.com/lg-autonomy-efcc-probes-774-chairmens-spending/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}