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Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has told the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpehbholo that he does not have such constitutional powers to suspend local government Chairmen.
The Edo State Governor had issued an order to the Edo State House of Assembly and demanded of them to suspend the chairmen.
Acting on that order, the Assembly suspended the 18 local government chairmen and their vice chairmen on December 17, 2024.
Governor Okpebholo had accused the chairmen and their deputies of insubordination.
He also alleged misconduct on the ground that they did not submit their statement of finances to him.
But AGF, Fagbemi, SAN, had faulted the action when he answered to questions from newsmen at a public function in his office on Thursday.
AGF Fagbemi, SAN, said that it was only the legislative arm of local governments that can sack or place council chairmen on suspension.
He stated that under the current dispensation, local government chairmen cannot just be removed or suspended by any governor without following due process of law.
“I am aware that since July 11 when the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment, local government administration has taken a new turn, different from the old order.
“At any rate, we are still studying the situation but before final reaction, it must be stated categorically and emphatically that for now, local government chairmen can only be removed through the legislative arm of the local government itself and not the State House of Assembly.”
