The High Court in Auchi has issued a significant ruling that invalidates the impeachment of Zibiri Muhizu Marvelous and Benji Ojietu from their positions as Chairman and Vice Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council, respectively.

In his ruling, Justice O. M. Obayuwana declared the impeachment proceedings to be null and void, highlighting the failure to comply with Section 19 of the Edo State Local Government Law 2000 (as amended in 2002).

The court declared that the respondents did not provide sufficient evidence of meeting the necessary statutory requirements, which included the formation of a seven-member panel to investigate the claimants, a review of findings by the Edo State House of Assembly, and the proper service of an impeachment notice to the claimants.

As a result, the court ruled the impeachment of Marvelous and Ojietu as Chairman and Vice Chairman of Etsako West Local Government illegal, null, and void.

Additionally, the court mandated the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure the claimants’ protection as they return to their office, a perpetual injunction against the respondents from interfering with the claimants’ responsibilities, and the payment of N1 million each by the respondents to the claimants as compensation.

Edo State governor Monday Okpebholo had called for the suspension of the 18 local government chairmen over alleged insubordination via a communication to the Edo State House of Assembly.

Responding to the judgement, the council chairman described it as a victory for democracy.
He appealed to Okpebholo to obey the decision of the court.