Court Overturns Impeachment of Etsako West Local Government Leaders
Impeachment Annulment: Etsako West Chairman and Deputy to Resume Duties Per Court's Decree
Facing an informal yet engaging tone, let's delve into the recent verdict by an Edo State High Court in Auchi, which declared the impeachment of Etsako West Local Government Area's Chairman, Zibiri Marvellous, and his deputy, Benji Ojietu, as null and void due to procedural inconsistencies.
According to our sources, the court ruled that the impeachment process flouted legal requirements as outlined in the Edo State Local Government Law. In a ruling delivered on a Thursday, Justice O. M. Obayuwana declared the removal of the local government officials as unlawful.
The decision stemmed from a failure to adhere to Section 19 of the Edo State Local Government Law 2000 (amended in 2002), which mandated establishing a seven-member investigative panel, reviewing the panel's findings by the Edo State House of Assembly, and serving the impeachment notice properly to the claimants.
In justifying the ruling, Justice Obayuwana expressed, "The respondents failed to meet the essential statutory requirements" and asserted that the impeachment process was unlawfully executed. Consequently, the removal of these local administration officials was deemed illegal.
In line with the ruling, the court recommended that the Inspector General of Police ensure the safety of Marvellous and Ojietu upon their return to office. Additionally, it issued a perpetual injunction barring the respondents from interfering with the claimants' official duties.
Each of the claimants was further awarded ₦1 million in damages as compensation for the unlawful impeachment.
The impeachment of Marvellous and Ojietu took place after Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, had urged the suspension of all 18 local government chairmen in the state, accusing them of insubordination. The Etsako West Legislative Council then moved to impeach the Chairman and his deputy, adding to the escalating tensions between the local administration and state government.
Following the court ruling, Zibiri Marvellous celebrated the decision as a triumph for democracy. In an appeal to Governor Okpebholo, he urged the Governor to uphold the court's decision and allow him and his deputy to resume their roles.
Marvellous stated, "This victory is for democracy." He implored Governor Okpebholo to abide by the court order and facilitate the resumption of their official duties.
Stay tuned for more updates on ongoing political developments in Edo State, including the ongoing dispute between Governors Okpebholo and Ighodalo, the introduction of stringent anti-kidnapping laws with potential death penalties for offenders, and more.
- In the heart of Nigeria's political landscape, the recent court verdict in Edo State has given a new lease of life to the Etsako West Local Government Chair, Zibiri Marvellous, and his deputy, Benji Ojietu, as their impeachment was overturned due to procedural errors.
- The court's decision, which stated the impeachment process was unlawful, threw a spanner in the ongoing power struggle between the local administration and the state government, particularly with the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
- This ruling offers another chapter in the ongoing saga of politics, crime-and-justice, and general news in Nigeria, shedding light on the importance of adhering to policy-and-legislation within war-and-conflicts, even in local government areas.
- Interestingly, the court recommended that the Inspector General of Police ensure the safety of Marvellous and Ojietu upon their return to office, underscoring the connection between crime-and-justice and politics in Nigeria.
- As we move forward, we can expect more developments in the political landscape of Edo State, including Governor Okpebholo's reaction to the court's decision and the potential impact on the upcoming PDP and other party elections in the state.
