By Ayo Kehinde
The Federal High Court, Abuja, has directed Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, and the State House of Assembly to maintain the status quo concerning the suspension of 18 council chairmen and their deputies.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order following an ex-parte motion filed by the suspended chairmen and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The directive will remain effective pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The Edo State House of Assembly had, on December 17, 2024, suspended the council chairmen and their deputies for two months.
Speaker of the Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, stated that the suspension was based on a petition from Governor Okpebholo, accusing the chairmen of failing to submit their councils’ financial records to the state government.
However, counsel for the plaintiffs, Anderson Asemota, argued that the suspension violated a July 2024 Supreme Court ruling, which declared that state governors have no authority to suspend elected local government officials.
Asemota alleged that the suspension was triggered by disagreements over the operation of a joint account between the councils and the state government, contrary to the Supreme Court’s decision.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1952/V/2024, lists as defendants the Speaker of the Edo Assembly, the assembly itself, Governor Okpebholo, the Edo State Government, the state’s Attorney-General, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Inspector-General of Police.
Ruling on the motion, Justice Nwite underscored the need for restraint and directed all parties to maintain the current status quo.
“After listening to counsel to the applicants and reviewing the affidavit evidence, including the written address, I hereby make an order that parties should maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice,” the judge ruled.
The court has scheduled the hearing of the substantive suit for January 20, 2025.
