OBIARUKU/Nigeria: The High Court of Delta State sitting in Obiaruku Judicial Division has delivered a landmark judgment against the leadership of the Ukwuani Local Government Council, ordering the immediate publication of the council’s financial records and restraining the implementation of the 2026 budget pending compliance with statutory disclosure obligations.
The suit was instituted by Councillor Chukwuemeke Victor Kenneth, representing Ward 19, Ezhionum, who is also an aspirant for the Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The councillor had approached the court seeking enforcement of financial transparency provisions against the Chairman of the council, Barr. Possible Ajede, and the Treasurer, Solomon Johnson Udih.
In its judgment delivered on Tuesday, the court granted virtually all the reliefs sought by the applicant, declaring that the failure of the Treasurer to publish the council’s monthly revenue and expenditure records from July 2024 to date amounted to a violation of the Delta State Local Government Establishment Law, 2017.
The court consequently issued orders of mandamus compelling the council chairman to direct the Treasurer to publicly declare and publish the council’s monthly revenues, incomes and expenditures covering the period in dispute within 14 days from the date of the judgment.
The court further ordered the chairman and his agents to furnish the Legislative Arm of the council with the monthly wage bill and performance index for the 2025 budget, directing that copies of the documents be served on each councillor within the same 14-day period.
In what observers have described as the most far-reaching aspect of the judgment, the court granted injunctive reliefs restraining the chairman, his agents or privies from implementing the 2026 budget, except for the payment of workers’ salaries, until full compliance with all statutory publication and disclosure obligations is achieved.
The court also dismissed the preliminary objection raised by the respondents, holding that the alleged absence of a pre-action notice could not be used as a shield to evade what it described as a sacred public obligation of accountability to the people.
Reacting to the judgment, lead counsel to the applicant, Evans Ufeli, Esq., described the decision as a major victory for transparency, accountability and democratic governance at the grassroots level.
“Today’s judgment reaffirms that public officers are bound by clear statutory duties and that the courts will enforce financial transparency at the local government level. This is a victory for the people of Ukwuani and for democratic accountability across Delta State,” Ufeli stated.
According to details of the judgment, the court specifically held that the non-publication of monthly financial accounts by the Treasurer from July 2024 to date was unlawful and contrary to the provisions of the law guiding local government administration in Delta State.
The court equally emphasized that elected representatives and citizens have the constitutional and statutory right to know how public funds are generated, managed and expended at the local government level.
Legal analysts say the ruling is expected to strengthen legislative oversight functions within local government councils and deepen public scrutiny of grassroots administration across Delta State.
The judgment is also being viewed as a significant precedent capable of compelling local government authorities to comply strictly with statutory financial disclosure obligations and budget transparency requirements.
Councillor Chukwuemeke and his legal team said they would closely monitor compliance with the court orders, warning that failure by the respondents to obey the directives within the stipulated period would trigger enforcement actions, including possible contempt proceedings.
The case has already generated widespread interest among political stakeholders and civil society groups, many of whom see the ruling as a bold judicial intervention aimed at promoting openness, accountability and responsible governance in local government administration.
