Suspended LG Chairmen defeats Edo Governor, Okpebholo in Court

Following the suspension of 18 Local Government Council Chairmen in Edo State through the State House of Assembly resolution, a High Court in Benin, Friday ordered the restoration of the embattled Chairmen.

CAPITAL POST earlier reported that 18 Local Government and their Vice in Edo State, were suspended from office on ground of alleged insurbordination to the State Governor.

Rejecting the suspension, the Chairmen approach the Justice Efe Ikponwonba-led High Court and an order was granted against the Edo State Government, Edo State Governor, and four others who were listed as 1st-6th defendants, respectively.

The suit was effectively filed in Court by 18 Chairmen and the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON in Edo State.

The court directed the defendants not to give effect to the House of Assembly resolution of December16, 2024, purporting to suspend the Local Government chairmen and their deputies.

The Court granted an order of mandamus directing parties to maintain status quo ante belum as of December 12, 2024 when the matter was filed in court pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

This means the LG Chairmen are to continue to function with all structures and powers of their office pending when the substantive case scheduled for hearing comes up.

Meanwhile, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi at a function in Abuja declared as unconstitutional the suspension of Local Government Chairmen and their vice in Edo State, stressing that as elected officers, the State House of Assembly lack powers to suspend them from office in a manner they did.