By John Joseph
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In a significant ruling, the Edo State High Court, presided over by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba, has ordered the restoration of the 18 suspended local council chairmen in Edo State ¹. The court’s decision, issued on Friday, December 20, 2024, is a major development in the ongoing saga surrounding the suspension of the local council bosses.
The court’s ruling was in response to a suit filed by the embattled council chairmen and the Edo State chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON). The defendants in the suit include the Edo State Government, the Governor, Deputy Governor, Attorney-General, Accountant-General, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Community and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Justice Ikponmwonba’s ruling restrained the defendants from acting on the resolution of the Edo State House of Assembly, which had suspended the council chairmen over alleged misconduct and insubordination. The court also ordered that the status quo as of December 12, 2024, be maintained pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed on December 12, 2024.
The suspension of the council chairmen had been a contentious issue, with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, describing it as unconstitutional. The Edo State House of Assembly had suspended the council chairmen following a petition filed by Governor Monday Okpebholo, who accused them of insubordination for failing to submit their LGAs’ financial statements.
The court’s ruling has significant implications for the governance of Edo State, and the fate of the suspended council chairmen. The suit has been adjourned to February 17, 2025, for hearing, and a hearing notice is to be issued and served on the defendants.
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