The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, has said the suspension of Local Government Area (LGA) chairmen and vice chairmen in Edo State is unconstitutional.
Fagbemi, who made this known on Thursday while speaking to journalists in Abuja, emphasised that such actions violate the July 11 Supreme Court judgement which granted the 774 LGAs autonomy.
The controversy arose after the Edo State Assembly suspended the council leaders from all 18 LGAs for two months, citing alleged gross misconduct and insubordination.
The assembly directed the council leaders to hand over administration to the legislative leaders of their respective local governments.
This decision followed a letter from Governor Monday Okpebholo accusing the council leaders of insubordination after they failed to submit financial reports from September 23, 2022, to date as directed.
The governor’s directive, however, was reportedly resisted by the council leaders, who cited their financial autonomy as upheld by the Supreme Court.
Reacting to the development, the AGF unequivocally condemned the suspension, insisting that the local government legislative houses have the sole responsibility to discipline their leaders.
“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,” Fagbemi stated.
“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,” he added.