A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, the state House of Assembly, and other parties involved in a suit filed by the 18 suspended local council chairmen to maintain the status quo.
The ruling was delivered yesterday by Justice Emeka Nwite after a motion ex-parte was filed by the plaintiffs’ counsel, Anderson Asemota.
Asemota had told the court that the council chairmen were suspended by the Edo State House of Assembly, and the resolution was sent to Governor Okpebholo for approval.
He argued that the motion sought an order for all parties in the case to maintain the situation as it was on December 15, 2024, referencing a Supreme Court ruling in July 2024 which had declared that governors do not have the authority to suspend elected local government chairmen.
According to Asemota, the suspension resulted from a dispute between the chairmen and the governor over the operation of a joint account, which the Supreme Court had ruled against.
He further argued that the plaintiffs had approached the court to resolve the matter legally rather than resorting to self-help.
In his submission, Asemota requested the court to maintain the status quo from December 15, 2024, and to prevent the governor from enforcing the House of Assembly’s suspension resolution.
He emphasized the urgency of the matter, pointing out that the suspension order was made on December 17, 2024.
The lawyer also presented evidence from the Supreme Court’s judgment, an order from the Edo State High Court, and comments from the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, regarding the suspension.
Justice Nwite, after considering the motion and the evidence, stated that extreme caution was necessary in granting such reliefs.
He ruled that the parties should maintain the status quo until the substantive motion is heard and determined.
The court ordered that the parties refrain from making any changes to the current situation.
Meanwhile, a rights group, the Concerned Civil Society Organisations of Edo State, has condemned the suspension of the council chairmen by the Edo State House of Assembly.
The group, led by spokesperson Ogbidi Emmanuel, described the action as a violation of democratic principles.
They argued that the suspension and impeachment did not follow proper legislative procedures and were unfounded in the history of democracy.
The group made these remarks during a press briefing held to address the recent developments in the state.
