By Miracle Ogunde
The Edo state branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has kicked against the suspension of the 18 local government chairmen by the state House of Assembly, describing the act as unconstitutional.
According to the body, the recent Supreme Court judgement has affirmed beyond pre-adventure the autonomy of the local governments.
A statement by the chairman of the Edo NBA branch, Idemudia Osifo, on Sunday, described the action of the House of Assembly as contrary to an existing Supreme Court judgment.
“Nigerian Bar Association, Benin Branch, expresses its profound sorrow and indignation over the incidents of Tuesday the 17th day of December 2024 that appeared to stand the rule of law on its head,” the statement reads.
“The NBA, Benin, was aghast when it received the news that the Edo State Assembly purportedly suspended democratically elected local government chairmen in the guise of misconduct.
“The NBA, Benin states categorically that the recent Supreme Court decision in AG of the Federation v. AG of Abia State & Ors (2024) LPELR-62576 (SC) has affirmed beyond pre-adventure the autonomy of the local governments.
“We therefore call on all actors to constrain themselves to act within the ambit of the law. The law has provided the proper channels to anyone who desires to find out the true financial state of the local government councils.”
The association appealed to the Attorney General and all other ministers in the temple of Justice to advise accordingly in line with the tenets, saying that the law as the rule of law must be seen to be above all.
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