The supreme court has dismissed the legal challenge by Nigeria’s 36 state governors and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) over the federal government’s handling of more than N1.8 trillion in recovered looted funds.
The seven-member panel, in a lead judgment written by Justice Chidiebere Uwa and delivered by Justice Mohammed Idris, ruled unanimously that the apex court lacks jurisdiction in the matter, saying it falls under the purview of the federal high court.
Governors accuse FG of diverting recovered funds
The suit, originally filed in 2021, alleged that the federal government failed to remit cash and non-cash recoveries—amounting to over N1.8 trillion and 167 properties—into the Federation Account, in breach of constitutional provisions.
The governors claimed the funds were instead channeled into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) and other accounts not recognised by law.
They further argued that creating separate asset recovery accounts was unconstitutional and bypassed revenue-sharing frameworks enshrined in sections 80 and 162 of the 1999 Constitution.
Supreme court declines jurisdiction
Despite citing numerous anti-corruption agencies like the EFCC, ICPC, and the police as responsible for the asset recoveries, the court concluded that only the federal high court could legally hear such a case. As a result, the case was struck out.
The governors had asked for an order compelling the federal government to remit all recovered assets and cash into the Federation Account and for the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to develop a formula for equitable distribution.
But with the court’s ruling, the quest to reclaim the funds appears to have hit a legal dead end—at least for now.
