Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City,Edo State yesterday reinstated the removed Esan West Local Government Chairman,
Hon Patrick Aguinede of the All Progressive Congress(APC)
Recall that Hon.Patrick Aguinede, Chairman of Esan West local government council was suspended and later removed late last year over alleged unremitted internally generated revenue(IGR) to the tune #7.5 million naira
Aguibnede was declared the valid, legally recognised elected Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area Council of Edo State, in suit No B/11/2020 presided over by Hon . Justice D.I. Okungbowa
In the judgment delivered on the 29th day of January 2021, the learned trial judge declared the purported removal of Hon. Patrick Aguinede by Edo State Governor as null and void.
The Court directed Hon. Patrick Aguinede to resume office as Chairman of the Council immediately.
The learned Judge held that Edo State Governor andthe Government failed to comply with the Provisions of Sections 20 and 21 of Edo State Local Government Law, 2000 (as amended) in failing to consult with the Edo State House of Assembly and the grounds of suspension as provided by Law was not followed.
The Court further held that since the purported suspension was void in law, every other action predicated on it was invalid and and held that the 1st-4th defendants abandon their notice of preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court on the ground of filling it in High court instead of in the National industrial court after counsel to the claimant joined issues with them and even draw their attention to it at the point of hearing the case but they opted to abandon it.
The Court awarded the sum of N200,000 as costs in favour of Hon. Patrick Aguinede.
