Court reinstates Edo council Chair

A Benin High Court has held that the suspended chairman of Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Mr. Osaro Obaze remains the democratically elected chairman of the council.

Justice Esohe Ikpomwen made the declaration while delivering judgement in a case brought by the council chairman to challenge his suspension and subsequent removal from office.

The judge observed that relevant sections of the constitution were not followed before Mr. Obaze was suspended from office.

The court also cleared the council chairman from allegation of financial recklessness leveled against him, as reason for his suspension.

In his reaction, Mr. Obaze expressed the hope that the judgement would further strengthen democracy in the country.

The judgement is coming in less than two weeks to expiration of the tenure of democratically elected council chairmen in Edo State.