A Delta State High Court has ordered the immediate reinstatement of 12 local government council chairmen who were suspended by the State House of Assembly eight months ago following what the lawmakers described as gross financial misconduct and abuse of office.
The court, in a judgement delivered by Justice Ejiro Okolugbo, found that the suspension process violated constitutional due process requirements, as the chairmen were not afforded the opportunity to respond to allegations before their suspension was enacted, rendering the entire proceeding null and void.
The reinstated chairmen were received by jubilant supporters at their respective LGA secretariats, with the chairman of Oshimili South LGA describing the reinstatement as a victory for democracy and constitutionalism over political persecution.
The State House of Assembly has announced its intention to appeal the judgement, and the Speaker warned that the reinstated chairmen would face fresh disciplinary proceedings conducted in strict accordance with the constitutional requirements the court identified as deficient in the original process.
Legal experts say the case highlights a broader pattern across Nigerian states of executive and legislative bodies using local government suspensions as political weapons, often on thin legal foundations that do not survive judicial scrutiny.
