RismadarVoice Reporters
November 10, 2026
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is reportedly investigating the management of public funds by chairmen of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas following the Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to the councils.
According to a report by The PUNCH on Tuesday, the investigation is being conducted discreetly through the commission’s zonal directorates across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Sources within the anti-graft agency reportedly disclosed that the exercise was aimed at determining whether council administrations had demonstrated accountability in managing their financial allocations.
The investigation is also said to focus on the impact of financial autonomy on grassroots development, public service delivery and the management of local government resources.
An official of a state Ministry of Local Government reportedly confirmed that council chairmen in the state were under investigation over their expenditure.
An unnamed EFCC source further claimed that the exercise extended nationwide and was intended to compare the performance of local governments before and after the autonomy judgment.
The development follows the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling of July 11, 2024, which affirmed the financial autonomy of local government councils.
The judgment prohibited state governments from withholding or controlling allocations constitutionally meant for democratically elected councils.
It also directed that funds allocated to local governments should be paid directly into their accounts rather than being controlled by state governments.
The ruling followed a suit instituted by the Federal Government through the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
The Federal Government had challenged the control of local government finances by state governors and the replacement of elected council officials with caretaker committees.
In October 2024, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede announced plans to monitor local government budget implementation and ensure that public funds were used for approved projects.
Olukoyede said the commission would collaborate with relevant stakeholders to track expenditure and investigate suspected financial misconduct.
He also linked the establishment of additional EFCC zonal directorates to efforts to strengthen nationwide oversight of public funds.
However, the commission has not publicly released details of the reported nationwide investigation, including the specific councils under examination or any findings of financial wrongdoing.
Efforts by The PUNCH to obtain confirmation from EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale were unsuccessful as of Monday night.
The reported investigation has renewed attention on financial accountability at the grassroots, particularly whether increased control over council allocations has translated into improved infrastructure and essential public services.
No findings of misconduct against the 774 chairmen have been publicly established.
