The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, has faulted the suspension of the local government chairmen in Edo State by governor, Monday Okpebholo.
The 18 local government chairmen and Vice Chairmen were placed on suspension on December 17, by the state House of Assembly at the instance of the governor.
Governor Okpebholo had accused the chairmen and their deputies of insubordination and misconduct on the ground that they did not submit their statement of finances to him.
However, answering questions from newsmen at a public function in his office on Thursday, Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN said that it was only the Legislative Arm of local governments that can sack or place council chairmen on suspension.
He said 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,” Fagbemi said.
The Director of Information, Mrs Modupe Ogundoro, in her welcome address explained that the objective of the Engagement Session is to update citizens on the milestones achievements by the Federal Ministry of Justice in the outgoing year.
Also, to receive feedback from citizens on the Justice Sector reforms, to provide a platform for citizens to engage with the Ministry and its partners, to identify areas for improvement and future reforms.
She said that at the end of the engagement, it is expected that it will increase awareness and understanding of the justice sector reforms, improve citizen engagement and participation in the justice sector, identify areas for improvement and future reforms, and strengthen partnerships between the Ministry, its partners, and citizens.
