Court Declares Akoko-Edo Chairman’s Impeachment Illegal, Orders Reinstatement

In his judgment, the presiding judge, Justice E. 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 does not have jurisdiction.

In the suit marked B/30os/2025 between Hon Suleman Tajudeen Alade and Hon 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 impeachment “illegal null and void and of no effect whatsoever” among several other demands.

Reacting to the judgment, counsel for the claimants, Asmota Anderson, said, “In the eye of the law, no impeachment was ever done in the first place. The court 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.

“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 that the judgment would not stand.

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