A High Court sitting in Benin, Edo State, on Friday, ordered the restoration of the suspended chairmen and vice chairmen of the 18 local government councils.
The court, presided by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba, granted the order in a suit filed by the affected chairmen and vice chairmen.
In the order, Justice Ikponmwonba, also restrained the defendants, including the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo; Edo State Government, among others from acting on the resolution of the state House of Assembly suspending the claimants.
The court order declared that the status quo ante bellum, as at December 12, 2024, be maintained pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed on December 12, 2024.
The judge therefore adjourned to February 17, 2025, for hearing, adding that a hearing notice would be issued and served on the defendants.
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, had on Thursday, insisted that no governor has the legal powers to remove elected local government officials from office.
“It must be stated categorically and emphatically that for now, local government chairmen can only be removed through the legislative arm of the local government itself and not the State House of Assembly,” Fagbemi had said.
Governor Okpebholo had Tuesday suspended the council chairmen and their deputies in the state over alleged acts of insubordination and misconduct after the purported approval of the State House of Assembly.
The governor had said the refusal of the LG officials to submit their financial accounts as demanded by him amounted to acts of gross misconduct, hence the need for their suspension.
Adibe Emenyonu
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