The Benin Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly condemned the recent suspension of the 18 local government area (LGA) chairmen and their deputies by the Edo State House of Assembly.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the NBA described the action as a blatant disregard for the rule of law, emphasizing that it contravenes a recent Supreme Court judgment on the autonomy of local governments.
Idemudia Osifo, Chairman of the Benin Branch of the NBA, expressed the association’s deep sorrow and indignation over the developments that transpired on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. According to Osifo, the suspension of the democratically elected chairmen by the Edo State House of Assembly under the guise of misconduct represents an attempt to undermine the rule of law.
“The NBA, Benin, was aghast when it received the news that the Edo State Assembly purportedly suspended democratically elected local government chairmen in the guise of misconduct,” the statement read. “This action stands in stark contrast to the Supreme Court decision in the case of Attorney General of the Federation v. Attorney General of Abia State & Ors (2024), which unequivocally affirmed the autonomy of local governments.”
The NBA urged all stakeholders, including members of the Edo State House of Assembly, to act in accordance with the law, stressing that the constitution and legal precedents provide clear channels for addressing any grievances related to the management of local government finances.
“We call on all actors to constrain themselves to act within the ambit of the law,” the NBA stated. “The law has provided the proper channels to anyone who desires to find out the true financial state of the local government councils.”
In its appeal, the NBA Benin also urged the Attorney General and other relevant legal authorities to offer guidance in line with the law, reinforcing that the rule of law must remain paramount in all governmental actions. The association stressed the need for adherence to legal principles to ensure the continued respect for democracy and justice in the state.