The letter, addressed to Speaker Rt. Hon Blessing Agbebaku, references the Notice of Judgment in Suit No. B/257/2024, which challenges the action of the state governor.
Ogaga Ovrawah (SAN) & Co., the legal representatives of Hon. Newman Oghomwen Ugiagbe and 17 others, have formally written to the Edo State House of Assembly regarding the dissolution of the 18 elected local government chairpersons in the state.
The letter, addressed to Speaker Rt. Hon Blessing Agbebaku, references the Notice of Judgment in Suit No. B/257/2024, which challenges the action of the state governor.
The legal team, representing the 18 chairmen, informed the House of Assembly that the Governor of Edo State had requested a resolution to dissolve the councils before their three-year term, as prescribed by the Edo State Local Government Law, 2000.
This request, according to Ogaga Ovrawah (SAN) & Co., contradicts the principles outlined in the Nigerian Constitution.
In their letter, the legal representatives highlighted a previous communication sent on 22 November 2024, in which they presented the judgment from the Edo State High Court.
The court had ruled that Section 10(1) of the Edo State Local Government Law, 2000, conflicts with Sections 7(1) and (4) of the Federal Constitution.
Furthermore, the letter attached a certified true copy of the Supreme Court's judgment in the landmark case of Attorney General of the Federation v. Attorney General of Abia State and 35 Others, asserting its relevance to the ongoing issue.
The legal team urged the House of Assembly to act in accordance with the law, ensuring that the tenure of the elected local government chairmen is protected.