EFCC quietly probing all 774 local government chairmen over spending of council funds since autonomy
Photo: EFCC headquarters, Abuja · Source: News Central TV (May 2026 file photo)
The probe is being handled by the commission’s zonal directorates across the 36 states and the FCT — but the EFCC has not publicly confirmed it, and no chairman has been named.
Key points
- The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is secretly investigating all 774 local government chairmen nationwide over their management and spending of public funds since councils gained financial autonomy, The PUNCH reported late on Monday.
- The probe is being handled by the commission’s zonal directorates across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, and is aimed at determining whether councils have been accountable in managing their allocations.
- A state Ministry of Local Government official confirmed all chairmen in that state are being probed; EFCC sources confirmed the exercise is ongoing and discreet.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is secretly investigating all 774 local government chairmen nationwide over their management and spending of public funds since councils gained financial autonomy, The PUNCH reported late on Monday.
The probe is being handled by the commission’s zonal directorates across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, and is aimed at determining whether councils have been accountable in managing their allocations. A state Ministry of Local Government official confirmed all chairmen in that state are being probed; EFCC sources confirmed the exercise is ongoing and discreet.
It follows the Supreme Court’s 11 July 2024 judgment affirming local government financial autonomy and barring governors from controlling council funds; EFCC chairman Ola Olukoyede said in October 2024 the commission would monitor local government budget performance.
EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale could not be reached for comment at filing time — the EFCC has not publicly confirmed the probe. No individual chairman has been named and no invitations for questioning have been confirmed. NewsFlux is attributing the probe to The PUNCH’s sources; it is not repeating it as a confirmed EFCC announcement.
Why this matters
It follows the Supreme Court's 2024 autonomy judgment — the first test of whether councils account for their own money.
Latest developments
First published 10 Nov 2026, 08:38 WAT.
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Sources
- Punch — LG autonomy: EFCC probes 774 chairmen's spending
- News Point Nigeria — Two years after financial autonomy, EFCC launches nationwide probe of 774 LG chairmen
- Papers.com.ng — EFCC launches probe of 774 chairmen over spending of LG funds
The probe is unconfirmed by the EFCC — attributed to The PUNCH's sources (ministry official + EFCC sources). No chairman has been named and none is named here. EFCC spokesman could not be reached at filing time.