Edo Assembly Lacks Power To Suspend LG Chairs – AGF Fagbemi

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has stated that the Edo State House of Assembly lacks the constitutional authority to suspend elected local government chairmen and their deputies.

Fagbemi made this remark during an event on Thursday, where he noted that his knowledge of the specific political developments in Edo State was limited.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that however, he emphasized that the action by the state assembly was unconstitutional.

“Although the facts of the case are still unclear, it is unlawful for a state’s House of Assembly to suspend duly elected Local Government leaders,” Fagbemi was quoted as saying by The Nation.

He clarified that only the legislative arm at the local government level possesses the power to suspend or discipline such officials.

This statement comes on the heels of a resolution passed on Tuesday by the Edo State House of Assembly, suspending the chairmen and vice chairmen of all 18 local government areas in the state for two months. The House directed the legislative arms of the respective local councils to assume leadership during the suspension period.

In defense of the Assembly’s action, Andrew Emwanta, the Special Adviser to Governor Monday Okpebholo on Legal Matters, argued that the suspension aligned with constitutional provisions.

Edo Assembly LG Chairs AGF Fagbemi

Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, Emwanta referenced precedents set by former governors Adams Oshiomhole and Godwin Obaseki, who had similarly suspended local government chairmen during their administrations.

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