Edo Court Reinstates Suspended LG Chair

•State government revokes some appointments

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Edo State High Court sitting in Igarra, headquarters of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, yesterday, declared the impeachment of the elected chairman of the local government, Taju Alade, as illegal and ordered his immediate reinstatement.

This was as the Edo State Government, yesterday, approved the revocation of the appointment of Umoru Inusa Umoru as the Aidonogie of South Ibie in Etsako West Local Government Area of the stat, among others.

In his ruling, the presiding judge, Justice B. A. Okoh, directed the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to provide him with the needed security to resume office.

Justice Okoh, in his declarative judgment also said the court has jurisdiction contrary to the  challenge by the state government that the court did not have jurisdiction.

In the suit marked B/30os/2025 between Hon Suleman Tajudeen Alade and Hon Mrs Beatrice Abukare as claimants and Honurables Alabi Oshionogue, Tope Jacon, Akosile Imashimi, Pendo Adeche, Afolabi Monday (as councilors), Akoko-Edo local government legislative council, Akoko-Edo local government council, the Vice Chairman of Akoko-Edo local government council and the Inspector General of Police as Defendants through originating summons, Alade wanted the court to declare his purported impeachment “illegal, null and void and of no effect whatsoever” among several other demands.

Reacting to the judgment, counsel to the claimants, Asmota Anderson, said, “In the eye of the law, no impeachment was ever done in the first place. The count found that there was indeed non-compliance with the procedure stipulated under Section 19 of the Edo State local government law, and that the man was not given fair hearing before his removal and the court now went further to declare that the removal was unlawful and not in compliance with the constitution of the land and therefore null and void.

“The court set aside the removal and ordered his immediate restoration and return to office, it is a declarative judgment and implementation takes effect immediately.”

When contacted, the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Lucky Esiegbe, said the government has filed for a stay of execution and already filed an appeal saying, the judgment would not stand.

He said he was confident that the Court of Appeal would overturn the ruling, adding that he believed that the judge was misled into a case that he had no jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, the Edo State Government has approved the revocation of the appointment of Umoru Inusa Umoru as the Aidonogie of South Ibie in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state

In his place, the state government has ordered the re-instatement of Alhaji Aliyu Kelvin Danesi as the Aidenogie of South Ibie.

Similarly, the Executive Council has approved the revocation of the appointment of Lukman Akemokue as the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella in Etsako East Local Government Area of the State for failure to comply with the Declaration of Customary Law regulating succession to the throne, as enshrined in the Bendel State Legal Notice 132 of 1979.

Following the revocation, modalities have been set in motion to begin the process of selecting a new Okuokpellagbe of Okpella in line with the Extant Law.

Also approved was the immediate removal of Dr. George Oshiapi Egabor as the Okumagbe of Uwano Kingdom, Agenebode in Estako East Local Government Area of the State.

Dr. George Oshiapi Egabor was earlier suspended over recent cases of incessant kidnappings and killings in his domain, and a process set in motion for the selection of a new ruler for the Kingdom in line with the Extant Laws of Edo State.

The changes were contained in a statement signed by Secretary to State Government (SSG), Umar Musa Ikhilor.

“It is hereby announced for the information of the General Public that the Executive Council of Edo State at its meeting of 30th April, 2025 approved the revocation of the appointment of Umoru Inusa Umoru as the Aidenogie of South Ibie in Etsako West Local Government Area of the State and the immediate re-instatement of Alhaji Aliyu Kelvin Danesi as the Aidenogie of South Ibie.

“The decision is premised on the fact that the Stool was not at any time vacant prior the appointment of Umoru Inusa Umoru.

“In the same vein, the Executive Council approved the revocation of the appointment of Lukman Akemokue as the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella in Etsako East Local Government Area of the State for failure to comply with the Declaration of Customary Law regulating succession to the throne, as enshrined in the Bendel State Legal Notice 132 of 1979.

“Following the revocation, modalities have been set in motion to begin the process of selecting a new Okuokpellagbe of Okpella in line with the Extant Law.

“The Executive Council also approved the immediate removal of Dr. George Oshiapi Egabor as the Okumagbe of Uwano Kingdom, Agenebode in Estako East Local Government Area of the State. Dr. George Oshiapi Egabor was earlier suspended over recent cases of incessant kidnappings and killings in his domain.

“A selection process has been set in motion for the selection of a new Ruler for the Kingdom in line with the Extant Laws of Edo State.

“We urge all subjects of the aforementioned localities/domains to remain calm as the State Government remains committed to ensuring the peace, unity, prosperity and greater happiness of the good people of Edo State,” the statement read.