LG Crisis: Edo House of Assembly, Speaker, and Acting Chairmen Take Impeached Officials to Court

Share This Now!

From Moshood Karim

The Edo State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, alongside the eighteen acting Chairmen of local government councils, has filed a suit against the impeached local government Chairmen and vice Chairmen at the State High Court. The move comes as part of a continued political crisis regarding the suspension of the Council leaders.

The originating summons, filed on 28 January 2025 under Suit No: B/3405/2025, seeks several declarations concerning the suspension of the 18 local government Chairmen and vice Chairmen. The lawsuit asserts that the suspension, which took place on 17 December 2024, has not dismantled or obliterated the democratic structure of the local government councils in the State.

ALSO READ:  The Reliance Newspaper Celebrates 16 Years Anniversary

The claimants, led by the Edo State House of Assembly, argue that the State legislature retains the legal authority to suspend local government Chairmen under Section 20(b) of the Local Government Law, 2000. They further contend that the suspension has not undermined the existence of local governance, with the democratic system, its structures, and administration still intact.

Among the key points of the suit are requests for declarations affirming the legitimacy of the acting chairmen to continue governing the Councils. The claimants argue that the leaders of the legislative arms of the councils—democratically elected members of the local government—are entitled to act on behalf of the Councils, especially in managing the administration, finances, and funds due to the councils.

ALSO READ:  See emotional letter married woman writes to Ebonyi State governor as she resigns

Furthermore, the suit calls for an order to allow these acting Chairmen access to local government funds, with a restraining order against the defendants from interfering with Council affairs. The claimants also seek a court order preventing the defendants from obstructing the operation of the Councils’ bank accounts or interfering with their finances.

The case, which involves a number of defendants including the impeached Chairmen and vice Chairmen, as well as the Governor of Edo State, is set to address several critical issues related to the power dynamics within the State’s local government system.

The questions before the court include whether the Edo State House of Assembly has the authority to suspend local government Chairmen under the Local Government Law, and whether the suspension has affected the existence of the local government councils’ democratic framework. Other questions involve the role of the legislative leaders in acting on behalf of the Councils in the absence of the Chairmen and vice Chairmen.

ALSO READ:  Hunger: Protesters Hold Sunday Service on the Road in Plateau

 

 

Get a premium automobile insurance coverage for your vehicle for as low as #15000 only and claim up to #3,000,000 in damages @Zenith Insurance To signup: WhatsApp/Call: +2349028313757
Share This Now!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *