Fashola Sues FG over One Percent Deduction for Police Reform

starconnect
starconnect
Former Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola

Mr. Babatunde Fashola
Mr. Babatunde Fashola
The Lagos State Government on Friday filed a suit at the Supreme Court, Abuja, challenging what it called illegal deduction from the state’s statutory allocation for police reform.

In the originating summon for a declaratory judgment filed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye is seeking a declaration that by virtue of Section 162 (3), (4) and (5) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) that it is unlawful for the Federal Government to deduct at source one percent or any other fraction or percentage of the revenue due to Lagos State and its Local Government Councils from the federation account under the Allocation Revenue Act for the purpose of funding police reforms or for any other purpose.

Lagos is also seeking a declaration,” that it is unlawful for the National Economic Council or any other agency of the federation to authorize by resolution, decision or consensus, the charge or deduction at source by any authority or person of any part of revenue due to Lagos State Government and its Local Government Councils under the Allocation Revenue Act for the purpose of funding police reforms or for any other purpose”.

The Fashola led government in the suit is also seeking,” an order compelling the defendant (Federal Government) to immediately reverse the unlawful deduction of one percent or any other sum deducted from the revenue due to Lagos State and its Local Governments from the Federation Account and to credit the amount so far deducted to Lagos State Government with interest at the current Central Bank of Nigeria minimum re-discount rate”.

The state government further sought from the court an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant by itself, agent, servants or workers from unlawful deduction of one percent or any part of the amount due to Lagos State Government and its Local Government Councils from the Federation Account for purpose of funding police reform or for any purpose whatsoever.

The state government is contending that the deduction has reduced the ability of the state and its Local Governments to fund projects.

Share this Article
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Be the first to get the news as soon as it breaks Yes!! I'm in Not Yet
Verified by MonsterInsights