The Adamawa State Government under the leadership of Rt Hon Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the Governor of the State has challenged the federal government by seeking the Supreme Court’s interpretation of Section 162 (1), (2) and (3) of the Constitution regarding the distribution of revenue from the Federation Account.
The state government argue that the entire sum in the Federation Account must be distributed among all levels of government without deductions, except as permitted by law and the President must comply strictly with the Constitution in managing and distributing revenue.
“The Government through a statement by Governor Fintiri’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Humwashu Wonosikou Said “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.In essence, the Adamawa State Government is seeking a declaration 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 unconstitutional.The Federal Government’s discretion to manage revenue is limited to only what is expressly permitted by the Constitution.”
The State Government is seeking a strict interpretation of the Constitution to ensure that revenue distribution is done in a transparent and constitutional manner, without arbitrary deductions or withholdings by the Federal Government.
