ICPC And Other Agencies Uncover the Truth Behind Missing Local Government Allocations.

JOS — The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and several federal agencies have disclosed that there is no verifiable evidence confirming that local government allocations from the Federation Account are reaching the councils directly.

This revelation sheds light on a long-suspected irregularity in Nigeria’s local government financing and reinforces public concerns over poor transparency, weak accountability, and limited autonomy at the grassroots level, despite constitutional guarantees and court rulings supporting such independence.

The finding was made during a capacity-building workshop on the Local Government Accountability Framework (LGAF) for the 17 Local Government Chairmen in Plateau State, held in Jos.

The workshop was organized by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).

Representatives from key governance and anti-corruption bodies—including the ICPC, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), and the Federal Ministry of Justice (FMoJ)—participated in the event.

Speaking at the session, Clifford Oparaodu, Executive Secretary of the ICPC, expressed concern that, despite a Supreme Court judgment affirming local government autonomy, there remains no consistent framework for tracking actual allocations.

“When funds are released from the Federation Account, they pass through the State Joint Local Government Accounts. Many councils do not know the exact amounts they are entitled to and simply accept what is given to them. This practice makes effective planning difficult and erodes accountability,” Oparaodu stated.

He added that although the ICPC cannot enforce judicial rulings, the Commission is deeply concerned that non-compliance with such decisions continues to hinder transparency and grassroots development. He emphasized the need for greater inter-agency collaboration to ensure that public funds serve their intended purpose.

Emmanuel Uche, RoLAC Programme Manager, noted that democracy cannot thrive without transparency and accountability, while Umar Yakubu, LGAF Coordinator, lamented the continued financial dependence of local governments on state governments.

“There is still no proof that allocations reach the councils directly. Funds continue to flow through state-controlled joint accounts, giving governors discretionary power over their use. Until citizens begin to demand openness, development at the grassroots will remain stagnant,” Yakubu said.

He further revealed that local governments collectively receive about 20 percent of total revenue from the Federation Account. However, weak accountability mechanisms and minimal citizen engagement have prevented these resources from improving essential services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

Officials from the CCB reminded participants—mainly Directors of Finance—of the need for integrity and transparency in public service, guiding them on proper asset declaration processes to prevent corruption and illicit wealth accumulation.

Similarly, representatives of the Federal Ministry of Justice highlighted the importance of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in promoting openness, while the BPP cautioned that over 60 percent of public funds flow through procurement channels—an area vulnerable to corruption if transparency is lacking.

The FRC reaffirmed that accountability and prudent management of public resources are constitutional responsibilities, not optional practices, stressing that fiscal discipline remains a cornerstone of sustainable governance.