ICPC Urges Local Councils to Uphold Transparency, Accountability After Supreme Court Autonomy Ruling

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has called on local government officials across Nigeria to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public funds, following the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment granting financial autonomy to local councils.

Speaking at a capacity-building workshop themed “Local Government Accountability Framework in Nigeria” on Monday in Lagos, the ICPC Secretary, Mr. Clifford Oparaodu, described the Supreme Court’s decision as a major milestone in strengthening democracy and good governance.

“The grant of autonomy comes with its own challenges, which is why we are here today,” he said. “We all have a collective duty to ensure that the authority given to local governments is exercised responsibly. Privilege without discipline can easily lead to abuse.”

Oparaodu commended the collaboration among key federal agencies, including the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Public Procurement Bureau (PPB), and the Federal Ministry of Justice, noting that the joint effort was aimed at strengthening governance at the grassroots level.

“The joint exercise was more than just a routine training but an opportunity to sensitise local government officials on ethical leadership, public finance management, and compliance with existing laws,” he explained. “Some actions taken in office, even without intent, can amount to breaches of existing laws. After today, no one can claim ignorance, because ignorance of the law is not an excuse.”

He added that the collaboration among the agencies was designed to send a unified message that anti-corruption and accountability institutions are working together to ensure compliance and integrity in public administration.

“Each agency has its own role: some advisory, some enforcement. The ICPC’s role is particularly coercive; we can train, guide, and, when necessary, prosecute,” he said.

Oparaodu urged participants to take the lessons from the session seriously and to replicate the knowledge in their respective local government areas. “We are bringing this initiative to your doorstep so that local governments can save resources and learn directly from those enforcing the laws. As leaders, it is your duty to pass this message to your teams and ensure compliance at all levels,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the joint training would help promote responsible governance, strengthen inter-agency collaboration, and reinforce public trust in local government administration.

In his remarks, Mr. Olusegun Adigun, ICPC Director, urged council officials to strengthen accountability, build institutional capacity, and maintain integrity in service delivery. He noted that local governments play a crucial role in national development, especially in delivering basic services that directly improve citizens’ quality of life.

“Local government is a vital link between the people and the government. It is an independent tier of government as affirmed by the Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to local councils,” Adigun said.

He referenced the July 11, 2024, Supreme Court judgment, which declared state control of local government funds unconstitutional and ordered the direct allocation of federal funds to all 774 councils in Nigeria. The court also outlawed caretaker committees.

Also speaking, Mr. Victor Muruako, Executive Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, described local governments as “the most critical tier of governance” for national development. Muruako, a former local government chairman, recalled his experience at the grassroots, saying, “Local government is where real development should begin. I feel very emotional about it because I have been part of the system.”

He commended President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to implementing the Supreme Court judgment and restoring autonomy to local governments.

On her part, Mrs. Ajibola Ijimakinwa, Lagos State Coordinator of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, said the workshop was timely and aligned with RoLAC’s focus on justice sector reforms, access to justice, and transparency in governance. She urged participants to apply the lessons from the workshop to promote ethical leadership and accountability in their respective councils.

Similarly, Mr. Mokuolu Adesina, a representative of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), advised local government officials to publish clear evaluation criteria in procurement processes and ensure fairness by rotating committee memberships and documenting every stage of evaluation.

The event, supported by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) and the European Union, brought together local government officials, anti-corruption agencies, and development partners to chart a new course for accountable governance at the grassroots level.