The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has declared the suspension of the LGA chairs and their deputies in Edo unconstitutional and illegal. 

Mr Fagbemi spoke to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, emphasising that the suspension violated the autonomy of the local council as affirmed by the Supreme Court’s judgement of July 11, 2024. 

“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,” Mr Fagbemi stated.

The justice minister 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.”

Earlier this month, 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.

“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?” the PDP said in a recent statement.

Meanwhile, the EFCC has launched an investigation into the financial activities of the LGAs regarding their payrolls.

In a letter dated December 17, the anti-graft agency directed the chairpersons of Akoko-Edo, Egor, Esan Central, Esan North East, Esan South East, and Esan West to report at its office on Thursday, December 19.

Others also expected at the EFCC office on Thursday are the chairpersons of Etsako Central, Etsako East, and Etsako West local governments.

The council bosses of Igueben, Ikpoba Okha, Orhionmwon, Ovia North East, Ovia South West, Owan East, Owan West, and Uhunmwode local governments are scheduled to report on Friday.

The EFCC director asked the chairpersons to come with certified true copies of staff strength and payroll documents.

Other documents requested included details of accounts where funds are received for payment of staff salaries, accounts where funds are reserved for staff salary exigencies, and the statement of account of the said accounts from January 1 to date.