Edo High Court Orders Reinstatement of Suspended Local Government Chairpersons

The Edo State High Court has ordered the immediate reinstatement of suspended local government chairpersons and their deputies.

Presiding over the case on Friday, Justice Efe Ikponmwonba issued a restraining order against Governor Monday Okpebholo and the state’s attorney-general, barring them from implementing a resolution passed by the Edo State House of Assembly. The resolution had suspended the officials for two months over allegations of gross misconduct.

The suit, filed by the affected chairpersons and deputies, challenges the legality of their suspension. Justice Ikponmwonba directed that the status quo as of December 12 be maintained until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. The judge adjourned the case to February 17, 2025, for further proceedings and ordered that notices be served to the respondents.

The controversy began earlier in the week when the Edo State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Blessing Agbebaku, acted on a petition from Governor Okpebholo. The petition accused the chairpersons of failing to submit their councils’ financial records to the state government.

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The suspension sparked widespread debate and drew a strong reaction from the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi. Speaking on Thursday, Fagbemi criticized the action, stating that state assemblies do not have the constitutional authority to suspend or remove local government chairpersons.

“Local government chairpersons cannot be removed or suspended by any governor without following due process,” Fagbemi asserted. “Only the legislature at the local government level has the power to take such actions.”