Edo State Assembly has received a formal letter from the legal representatives of 18 suspended local government chairmen, urging the enforcement of a recent High Court order that affirms their right to complete their tenure.
The letter, addressed to Speaker Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, was sent by Ogaga Ovrawah (SAN) & Co., the legal team representing Hon. Newman Oghomwen Ugiagbe and the other 17 chairpersons. It references the Notice of Judgment in Suit No. B/257/2024, which challenges the dissolution of the local councils by the state government.
The legal team explained that the Edo State Governor had sought a resolution from the Assembly to dissolve the councils before their three-year term ends, a move they argue contradicts the Edo State Local Government Law, 2000.
They further contend that this action violates the principles outlined in the Nigerian Constitution.
In their letter, the legal representatives also reminded the Assembly of a previous correspondence sent on November 22, 2024, which included a judgment from the Edo State High Court.
The court had ruled that Section 10(1) of the Edo State Local Government Law, 2000, is inconsistent with Sections 7(1) and (4) of the Federal Constitution.
Additionally, the letter included a certified true copy of the Supreme Court’s ruling in the landmark case of Attorney General of the Federation v. Attorney General of Abia State and 35 Others, which the legal team believes is directly relevant to the matter at hand.
The legal representatives called on the Edo State House of Assembly to uphold the law and ensure that the tenure of the 18 elected local government chairmen is respected and protected.
