Court orders Ondo Govt to release LG allocations, commissioners’ asset declarations

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

An Ondo State High Court sitting successful Akure has delivered 2 landmark judgments directing the authorities authorities to merchandise details of statutory allocations to the 18 section authorities councils and the plus declarations of authorities commissioners.

Justice T.M. Adedipe, successful abstracted rulings connected Suits HCAK/294/CIV/2025 and HCAK/299/CIV/2025, granted the applications filed by Akure-based lawyer, Femi Emmanuel Emodamori.

In the archetypal judgment, the tribunal ordered the authorities Finance Commissioner, Mrs. Omowumi Isaac, to supply certified existent copies of documents showing disbursements from the Joint Local Government Account to the 18 councils betwixt January and July 2025 wrong 7 days.

In the 2nd ruling, the State House of Assembly was directed to nutrient grounds of assets and liabilities declared by each 18 commissioners screened and confirmed betwixt February and July 2025, successful enactment with Section 192 (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The Attorney-General of Ondo State, who represented some the Finance Commissioner and the Assembly, had opposed the suits, arguing that the accusation requested was “personal” and exempt from disclosure. The tribunal dismissed the objection, holding that the documents subordinate to nationalist funds and law obligations, and indispensable beryllium unfastened to nationalist scrutiny.

Justice Adedipe besides rejected the assertion that the Federal Government should person been joined successful the substance concerning section authorities allocations, clarifying that nether Section 162 (6) of the Constitution, work rests with the authorities government.

Reacting to the judgment, Emodamori described the rulings arsenic “a bold measurement towards accountability and transparency successful governance,” noting that Nigerians are entitled to unrestricted entree to accusation connected however nationalist officials negociate authorities resources.

He revealed that some suits were filed connected August 22, 2025, heard connected September 10, and concluded wrong 24 hours.

“These judgments person strengthened the people’s close to clasp leaders accountable and deepened Nigeria’s ineligible jurisprudence,” helium said.

The station Court orders Ondo Govt to merchandise LG allocations, commissioners’ plus declarations appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.