An Edo State High Court has countered Gov Monday Okpebholo and the Edo State House of Assembly and ordered the immediate reinstatement of suspended local government Chairmen and their deputies in the state.
Presiding Judge, Justice Efe Ikponmwonba who on Friday issued an injunction preventing Governor Monday Okpebholo and the state Attorney-General from enforcing the suspension resolution passed by the Edo State House of Assembly, also ruled that the status quo as of December 12 must be maintained until the motion on notice, filed on the same day, is heard and determined.
Didactic Information Hut reports that the suspended local council officials had filed a lawsuit challenging their suspension.
The court fixed the hearing for February 17, 2025, and directed that notices be served to all respondents.
The Edo State House of Assembly had suspended the Chairmen and their deputies based on allegations of gross misconduct for a petition from Governor Okpebholo accusing the Chairmen of failing to submit their councils’ financial records to the state government.
In a subsequent reaction, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, insisted that state assemblies lack the constitutional authority to suspend or remove local government Chairmen.