Breaking: Abuja Court Declines Jurisdiction To Hear Edo LG Chairmen Suit
Edo Governor Monday Okpebholo
By Correspondent
The Federal High sitting in Abuja has declined jurisdiction to entertain a case filed by the suspended Chairmen of the 18 Local Government Councils in Edo State.
The court presided over by Justice Nwite had adjourned the matter to Monday the 20th of January 2025 for hearing of a Motion on Notice for an interlocutory injunction filed by the suspended Chairmen.
When the matter came up Monday morning, the presiding Judge informed the lawyers for the parties that upon an application by counsel for the 1st to 5th Defendants, the case file has been transferred to the Benin Division of the Federal High Court.
One of the lawyer present in the court told Midwest Herald correspondent that, the implication of the transfer of the case to Benin is that the Federal High Court Abuja lacks the ‘territorial jurisdiction’ to entertain the matter, since the parties are based in Edo and the main subject matter of the suit is the interpretation of the Edo State Local Government Law.
The presiding Judge had ordered the parties to maintain status quo.
What is however not clear is whether the interim order will be obeyed in the face of the transfer of the case from Abuja to Benin.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had earlier reported that the aggrieved 18 Local Government Council chairmen and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) filed a motion ex parte marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1952/V/2024.
In the motion dated December 20, 2024, but filed December 24, 2024, the chairmen and PDP sued the Speaker, Edo state House of Assembly and Governor of Edo State, Mr. Monday Okpebholo.
Also joined in the suit are the Attorney General and Commissioner for justice, Edo State; the Attorney General of the Federation; and the Inspector General of Police.
Read Also: Breaking: Edo Assembly Suspends Council Chairmen, Vice!
