BREAKING: Court Blocks Edo Government from Suspending 18 Local Council Chairmen

An Edo State High Court has granted an injunction restraining the state government from stopping 18 local government chairmen and their deputies from performing their duties.

The chairmen were suspended by the Edo State House of Assembly on December 16, 2024.

The 18 local council chairmen approached the court seeking an order against the implementation of the suspension. They argued that the suspension was unlawful and sought an injunction to restrain the defendants from giving effect to the resolution.

In his ruling on Suit No B/307/OS/24, Hon. Justice Efe granted the prayers of the 18 council chairs. He ordered the Edo State government not to effect the suspension resolution, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice filed on December 12, 2024.

“The Defendant by their privies servants, agents howsoever called are hereby restrained from, in any way giving effect to, or acting on the resolution suspending the Claimants elected Chairmen and Vice Chairmen, made by the Edo State House of Assembly on 16/12/24 or any other day, pending the hearing and determination the Motion on Notice filed on the 12/12/24,” Justice Efe ruled.

The court adjourned the case to February 17, 2025, for further hearing.

The newly elected governor, Monday Okpebholo, had accused the local government executives of misconduct, leading to their suspension.