The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has declared the suspension of the LGA chairs and their deputies in Edo State unconstitutional and illegal.
Mr Fagbemi spoke to journalists during an interview in Abuja on Thursday, making emphasis to the fact that the suspension violated the autonomy of the local council as affirmed by the Supreme Court’s judgement of July 11, 2024.
Speaking to journalists he stated: “One thing that I know and can say without fear is that under the present dispensation, the governor has no right to remove any local government chairman”.
The Minister of Justice also added, “If I did not know before, since July 11, 2024, I became aware that the removal of any local government chairman or official would be the prerogative of that local government, through their legislative house.”
According to reports the People's Democratic Party (PDP) also expressed their displeasure through a statement: “How can a governor direct the state assembly to suspend democratically elected chairmen of the 18 local councils for insubordination when these officials enjoy autonomy and independence as enshrined in the Constitution?”
According to reports, the suspension came earlier this month, as Governor Monday Okpebholo ordered the 18 council chairpersons to submit their statements of account from September 2023 to date. Following their refusal, the governor announced their suspension, which the opposition party, PDP denounced.