Daily briefing: States disregard Supreme Court ruling on local government independence, Umahi calls for post-mortem examination into nurse's demise, and other major news

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Top headlines in Nigeria Friday morning include growing concerns over the implementation of local government financial autonomy, as many states have reportedly retained control of council allocations one year after the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling.

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Also making headlines are the controversy over the death of a nurse at the residence of Minister of Works David Umahi in Ebonyi State.

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Internationally, US President Donald Trump has announced a new four-year limit on the stay of foreign students.

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Here are the top stories this morning:

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Autonomy battle: States defy Supreme Court, control N10tn LG allocations

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Two years after the Supreme Court ordered direct payment of federal allocations to local government councils, most states continue to defy the judgment and retain control of the funds through joint accounts.

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The PUNCH findings show that local governments received N10.48tn between July 2024 and June 2026, yet implementation remains stalled with little evidence of financial autonomy at the grassroots. NULGE says direct payments from the Federal Government have not commenced.

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Read the full story here: https://punchng.com/autonomy-battle-states-defy-supreme-court-control-n10tn-lg-allocations/

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Nurse’s death: Umahi, police fight bid to stop autopsy

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The Minister of Works, David Umahi and the Ebonyi State Police Command have demanded an autopsy to unravel the circumstances that led to the death of a 26-year-old nurse, Mary Habila, whose corpse was reportedly found at the minister’s residence in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

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Their demand followed the request by the deceased’s father, Tanko Habila, to the Ebonyi State High Court to withdraw the police investigation into his daughter’s death.

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The father also refused to allow an autopsy on her body, insisting that the family did not suspect foul play in her death.

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Read the full story here: https://punchng.com/nurses-death-umahi-police-fight-bid-to-stop-autopsy/n

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Fake agency scandal: Gbajabiamila sues Adeyemi for N15bn

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Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila has filed a N15bn defamation suit against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi over allegations that he demanded a 48% kickback from a N27.3bn take-off grant.

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He denies the claims, stating he never met Adeyemi or authorised any intermediary, and is seeking damages, retraction and public apology.

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Read the full story here: https://punchng.com/fake-agency-scandal-gbajabiamila-sues-adeyemi-for-n15bn/

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2027 election: INEC unveils mock presidential poll plan

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The Independent National Electoral Commission is considering conducting a comprehensive audit of its electoral technology systems and staging a mock presidential election as part of efforts to strengthen preparations for the 2027 general election.

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INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan (SAN), disclosed this on Thursday while receiving the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery, during a courtesy visit to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

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Read the full story here: https://punchng.com/2027-election-inec-unveils-mock-presidential-poll-plan/n

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Trump limits foreign students to four-year US stay

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The administration of US President Donald Trump has finalised a new rule capping most foreign students and exchange visitors on F-1 and J-1 visas to a maximum four-year stay.

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The Department of Homeland Security says the change is aimed at strengthening immigration enforcement and preventing visa overstays.

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