Edo State House of Assembly has no constitutional power to suspend LG Chairmen – AGF Fagbemi

Reacting to the suspension of 18 Local Government Council Chairmen in Edo State, the Attorney-General and Minster of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, on Thursday said, Edo State legislature does not have power of suspension.

Speaking at an event on Thursday, Fagbemi said the Chairmen and their vice were elected and the State Assembly has no power to suspend them in a manner they did’

He said, though, he has no adequate knowledge of political issue, he insisted that the State Assembly has no power to suspend elected Local Government Chairmen and their vice.

“Although the facts of the case was still vague, it is unlawful for a state’s House of Assembly to suspend duly elected Local Government leaders,” the Nation quoted him.

The Minister of Justice explained that the only organ with such power is the Legislature at the Local Government level.

On Tuesday last week, Edo State House of Assembly passed a resolution suspending 18 Local Government Council Chairmen and their Vice on alleged insubordination to the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

He resolution further directed the leaders of the LGAs’ legislative arms to take over the leadership of their respective councils.

Also, the Special Adviser to Governor Monday Okpebholo on Legal Matters, Andrew Emwanta, in an interview on Wednesday said the suspension was in line with the Constitution.

Emwanta noted that former governors Adams Oshiomhole and Godwin Obaseki suspended local council chairmen during their tenures.