The Edo State House of Assembly has filed a suit in the state high court, seeking to affirm the suspension of the 18 local government chairmen in the state. The suit, marked B/34/2025 and filed on January 28, 2025, requests a declaration that the Assembly has the legal authority to suspend the chairmen and vice chairmen under Section 20(b) of the Local Government Law, 2000, of Edo State.
This action follows the suspension of the local government chairmen and their deputies on December 17, 2024, for alleged insubordination to Governor Monday Okpebholo. The governor had accused the chairmen of disregarding his directive to submit their councils’ statements of accounts.
The chairmen and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have challenged the suspension, arguing that the governor does not have the power to demand such financial records due to the Supreme Court’s recent declaration of local government autonomy. In addition, the chairmen and their deputies have been impeached, and the matter is currently being contested in court.
Through the suit, filed by lawyer C.O. Edosa of C.O. Edosa and Co., the Assembly seeks clarification on several points, including whether the suspension violated Section 20(b) and undermined the democratic structure of local governments. The Assembly also seeks confirmation that the legislative arms of the councils are properly constituted and whether, in the absence of the chairmen and their deputies, these arms can manage the councils’ affairs.
The Assembly requests the court to affirm that its actions did not dismantle the democratic structures of the councils, and that it has the authority to suspend the chairmen and vice chairmen under the Local Government Law.
The defendants have been given 42 days to respond to the suit. If they fail to do so, the court may proceed with appropriate orders.
