The Adamawa State Government has filed a lawsuit against the federal government in the Supreme Court over the distribution of revenue from the federation account.
In a statement on Thursday, Humwashi Wonosikou, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, announced that the state is seeking an interpretation of Section 162 (1), (2), and (3) of the constitution regarding revenue distribution from the federation account.
The state contends that “the entire sum in the federation account must be distributed among all levels of government without deductions, except as permitted by law.”
“The president must adhere strictly to the constitution in managing and distributing revenue,” the statement reads. All revenue collected, except those exempted by the constitution, must be paid into the federation account for distribution to all tiers of government.
“The federal government has no discretion to withhold or deduct revenue for any purpose not expressly permitted by the constitution.”
The state further argues that “the federal government must distribute the entire revenue from the federation account without deductions, except as permitted by law.” Any deductions or withholdings made without constitutional backing are deemed unconstitutional.
“The federal government’s discretion to manage revenue is limited to what is expressly permitted by the constitution.”
The Adamawa State Government is seeking a strict interpretation of the constitution to ensure that revenue distribution is conducted transparently and constitutionally, without arbitrary deductions or withholdings by the federal government.
On July 11, the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government should henceforth pay allocations directly to local government councils from the federation account. The judgment, delivered by a seven-member panel of justices, stated that state governments have been abusing their powers by retaining and using funds meant for local government areas (LGAs).
The apex court also ordered the federal government to withhold allocations from LGAs governed by unelected officials appointed by the governor.
