The Supreme Court on Thursday granted the 36 state governors of the federation seven days to file their respective defenses in the suit filed against them by the Federal Government seeking full autonomy for the 774 Local Governments in the country.
The apex court also directed the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), that upon receipt of the governors’ defenses, he must file a reply within two days.
The seven-man panel of Justices, led by Garba Lawal, issued the order on Thursday while ruling on an application for abridgment of time argued by Fagbemi (SAN).
The apex court stated that the decision was based on the national urgency of the suit and the lack of objection from the Attorneys General of the states of the federation.
The Supreme Court held that filing of all processes and exchanging of same must be completed within the time and subsequently fixed June 13 for hearing of the suit.
Justice Lawal said that the eight states that were not in attendance at Thursday’s proceedings must be served with fresh hearing notice.
The eight states are, Borno, Kano, Kogi, Nigeria, Ogun, Osun , Oyo and Sokoto, whose Attorneys General were absent in court despite been served with hearing notice.
More details to follow.
