Edo LG Chairmen, Vice Chairmen Remain Suspended - Edo Panel of Inquiry

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By Reporter

In the aftermath of the declaration of the suspension of all 18 Local Government Council Chairmen in Edo State by the Edo State House of Assembly, and the ex-parte order that has been given by a Benin High Court, and comments by Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Chairman of Administrative Panel of Inquiry on the Suspended Local Government Chairmen and Vice Chairmen, Solomon Imohiosen has defended the action of Governor Monday Okpebholo and the State House of Assembly

Imohiosen made the position of his committee known in a press statement yesterday. He said: “The attention of the Administrative Panel of Inquiry on the suspended Local Government Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of Edo State has been drawn to a particular ex-parte order flying on the social media.

“It is therefore imperative for the information of the general public to set the records straight.

“First, the Resolution of the Edo State House Assembly on the subject matter was made on the 17th of December 2024.

“Upon receipt of the Resolution that same day, the Governor of Edo State in line with the provisions of Section 20(2) of the Edo State Local Government Law 2000 constituted our Administrative Panel of Inquiry and inaugurated our Panel in Government House at about 4pm on the 17th of December 2024.

“Second, at 5pm on the 17th of December 2024 we had our inaugural sitting wherein we made the house-keeping rules of our Panel of Inquiry and laid out our work plan.

“The following day which was 18th of December 2024, we met with the Leaders of the Legislative Arm/Acting Chairmen and Heads of Local Government Administration of the 18 Local Government Councils of Edo State. Letters in respect of the list of documents to be produced were issued to them.

“Third, we were shocked to see the aforesaid ex-parte order on the socialmeda, which was procured for the Plaintiffs by one Oluwole Osaze Uzzi, who was a Defendant/Counsel in a similar case before the same Edo State High Court.

“This brazen act of unethical professional conduct will be reported to the appropriate authority in due course.

“Fourth, the law is settled that an injunctive order, albeit ex-parte cannot be issued against an already completed act. We will not by any means join issues with an inchoate order wherein we and the House of Assembly, which made the Resolution were not joined as parties.”

The Chairman added that plans were in place to invite the suspended council bosses for interrogation.

“Finally, the Inquiry has started in earnest, and in due we will issue out letters to the suspended Chairmen and Vice Chairmen to defend the allegations against them. Their suspension which was made pursuant to an extant Law of Edo State remains valid.” Imohiosen stated.