The High Court of Benin, Edo State, on December 20, 2024, delivered a landmark ruling ordering the reinstatement of the 18 suspended Local Government Chairmen and their Vice Chairmen, whose positions were controversially revoked by the Edo State House of Assembly. The court's decision effectively nullified the suspension, instructing that the status quo, as of December 12, 2024, be maintained.
This ruling is seen as a significant legal victory for the affected local government officials. The suspension, imposed on December 16, 2024, followed allegations of insubordination and misconduct against the chairmen and their deputies. The Edo State House of Assembly, backed by the Edo State Government, claimed that the officials had refused to submit their financial records as required, an action deemed as misconduct.
The legal battle centered on the authority of the Edo State House of Assembly to remove duly elected local government officials. Governor Monday Okpebholo had filed a petition, accusing the chairmen and their deputies of neglecting their duties, particularly their failure to submit financial records. However, the court found that the governor and the House of Assembly lacked the legal power to unilaterally suspend or remove the chairmen, who were duly elected by the people of Edo State.
The judgment has sparked a wave of support from various stakeholders, including the Attorney-General of the Federation, who emphasized that governors do not have the legal right to suspend or remove elected local government officials without due process. Legal experts have hailed the decision as a reaffirmation of democratic principles and the autonomy of local government structures in the state.
In light of this ruling, the affected local government chairmen and vice chairmen are expected to resume their duties immediately, with many expressing gratitude to the judiciary for upholding the rule of law and protecting their rights to serve their constituencies.
The implications of this judgment extend beyond the local government level, with political analysts predicting that it may set a precedent for similar cases in other states, reinforcing the importance of lawful processes in the governance of local councils.
As of now, the Edo State Government has not indicated whether it will appeal the ruling. However, the decision is seen as a major setback for those advocating for greater control over local governments in the state.
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