Edo Court Ruling: Governor Okpebholo Ordered to Maintain Status Quo Over Suspended Council Chairmen

Court Orders Governor Okpebholo, Edo House to Maintain Status Quo Over Suspension of Council Chairmen
January 7, 2025 | By Abdulmajeed Abdullateef

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, and the State House of Assembly must maintain the status quo following the suspension of 18 local council chairmen.

The ruling comes after a motion was filed by Anderson Asemota, counsel for the suspended chairmen, asking the court to intervene.

Asemota argued that the suspension, based on a resolution from the Edo State House of Assembly, violated a Supreme Court ruling from July 2024, which stated that governors have no authority to suspend elected local council officials.

The chairmen had been suspended for opposing a joint account arrangement, which they claimed went against the Supreme Court’s directive.

The lawyer requested the court to uphold the status quo as of December 15, 2024, until the case is fully heard, stressing the urgency of the matter.

He pointed to several legal precedents, including the Supreme Court judgment, an Edo State High Court order, and an interview with the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi.

Justice Emeka Nwite, after reviewing the motion, ordered that all parties involved maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive case.

He noted the need for caution in granting such an order but agreed to preserve the current situation.

In a related development, the Concerned Civil Society Organisations in Edo State have condemned the suspension, labeling it an unlawful act that undermines democracy.

The group criticized the Edo House of Assembly for not following proper legislative procedures when suspending the chairmen, with spokesperson Ogbidi Emmanuel calling the decision unfounded and contrary to democratic principles.

This legal development is of significant importance in Edo’s political landscape, as it could have wide-ranging implications for the state’s governance. For further details, visit the full article on NIGPOST.