Court Aborts Suspension of 18 Edo Local Government Council Chairmen

FROM Moshood Karim

The High Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State, has ruled in favor of reinstating the Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of the 18 local government councils in the state, overturning the suspension imposed on them by the Edo State House of Assembly.

In a ruling delivered today, the court granted an application to restore the local government officials to their positions, effectively nullifying the resolution passed by the State legislature that had earlier suspended them.

 

The court directed that the Edo State Government, the Governor, the Attorney General of Edo State, and other relevant authorities refrain from giving effect to the suspension, which had been described by the affected local council officials as unlawful.

 

The suspension of the local government officials had raised significant controversy in the state, with many political observers and residents questioning the legality of the House of Assembly's action. The court’s ruling today has been hailed as a victory for democracy and the rule of law, as it affirms the constitutional rights of the local government officials to serve in their duly elected capacities.

 

Details surrounding the specific reasons for the suspension and the subsequent legal challenge remain unclear, but the judgment marks a significant development in the on-going political dynamics within Edo State.

 

The affected officials are now expected to resume their duties, marking a temporary resolution to the dispute.