FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Edo’ State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lucky Eseigbe has withdrawn the appointment of an acting chairman for Oredo Local Government Area.
This followed the contempt of court charge threat by the suspended Chairman of the council, Tom Obaseki, against the commissioner.
AljazirahNigeria gathered that Eseigbe had in a letter dated February 3, appointed Igbinigie Osaheni, the Head of Local Government Administration in Oredo, to function as the acting chairman of the council.
The commissioner said the decision became necessary, following the refusal of the elected councillors in the 12 wards of the local government area to act as chairman of the council due to the suspension of the 18 local government chairmen and their deputies.
Reacting to the letter from the commissioner appointing Osaheni as the acting council chairman, Obaseki, through his counsel, Olayiwola Afolabi (SAN), issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the commissioner to withdraw the appointment letter or risk contempt of court charge.
In order to avoid the charge, Eseigbe, in a letter dated February 7, announced the withdrawal of the appointment.
The letter titled ‘Re: Appointment as Acting Chairman, Oredo Local Government Council,’ was signed by one Igberaese G.O, for the commissioner.
The letter addressed to Emmanuel Olayiwola Afolabi (SAN) reads in part: “I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated February 6 on the above subject and to state that our action on the issue was an oversight.
“Sequel to the above, I am further directed to inform you that we have since withdrawn the letter addressed to Dr Igbinigie Osaheni, the Head, Local Government Administration, Oredo Local Government Council to function as the Acting Chairman as requested.
“Please, accept the sincere assurances and very high regard of the commissioner.”
Aljazirah Nigeria recalls that Obaseki, had through his counsel, while issuing the 24-hour ultimatum, described the commissioner’s action as superfluous, insidious and insulting to the democratic tenets of the nation’s solid democracy.
According to him, “You need not be reminded that our client remains the chairman of Oredo Local Government. This position has been reiterated by an existing mandatory court injunction granted by Justice Ikponwonba in suit no:B/307/2024 on December 16 and 20, 2024 respectively.
“Of course, this position is a reiteration of the financial autonomy and independence of Oredo Local Government which the Supreme Court in SC/V/343/2024; A.G. Federation v.A.G.Abia State & 30 rs has put their official stamp to.
“You are immediately required forthwith to retract your request in a formal letter within 24 hours of the receipt of this letter. Failure of which you will be held liable for contempt of court, being an agent and serving official under the government of Edo State that has been restrained. This letter of yours should be written to Dr Osaheni and our client.”
