An Oyo State High Court sitting at Ringroad in Ibadan on Monday declared null and void the powers of the Oyo State Governor, House of Assembly and their agencies from summarily truncating or dismissing the elected local government chairmen and councillors duly elected over the 33 local governments and 35 LCDAs in the state.

Justice A. A. Aderemi gave the judgment while ruling on a suit filed by Hon. Bosun Ajuwon, other Chairmen and Councillors, for and on behalf of the elected local government /LCDA Chairmen and Councillors across the state.

The court relying on the doctrine of stare decides adopted and relied on the decision of the Supreme Court in the recently decided case of Ekiti State Council Chairmen against Ekiti State Governor in arriving at the decision.

The court held it was bound as a lower hierarchy of court to adopt and apply the holding of the Supreme Court in a similar case on the same facts. Her lordship consequently declared some sections of the Local government amendment laws of Oyo State that allowed the Governor to dissolve the local govt councils null and void and unconstitutional among other declaratory reliefs granted.

The court equally granted a perpetual order of injunction against the Oyo State government and its agencies restraining them from removing the elected councillors and chairmen until the due expiration of their tenure of office.

With this judgment, the actions of successive governments in the state in summarily dissolving councils, and especially the apprehension in many quarters about the threat of the incoming governor and his party to dissolve councils have been declared illegal and void. If exercised such steps will be in contempt of the court’s judgment and may be visited with sanctions.

In a reaction to the judgment, the state Attorney General, Oluseun Abimbola Esq, stated that this government is law-abiding and will, as always maintain the rule of law.

Mr Abimbola stated that the Oyo State government would study the judgment accordingly but while doing so, will abide by its pronouncements.

______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence

Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via: 0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888 Website: www.alexandernigeria.com

_______________________________________________________________________ [A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
“Evidence Act: Complete Annotation” by renowned legal experts Sanni & Etti.
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation ______________________________________________________________________ “Bridging Theory And Courtroom Practice” — Hagler Sunny Okorie, Nathaniel Ngozi Ikeocha Unveil ‘Functional’ Tort Law Book For Nigerian Legal System The book, titled The Law of Torts in Nigeria: A Functional Approach, authored by Professor Hagler Sunny Okorie Ph.D and Ikeocha, Nathaniel Ngozi Esq, offers law students, practitioners, and academics a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying tort law in Nigerian courts. Interested buyers can place orders via the following contact numbers: 08028636615, 08037667945, 08032253813, or +234 902 196 2209. _______________________________________________________________________ Groundbreaking Guide For Lawyers: Adigwe Publishes ‘Artificial Intelligence For Lawyers’ With Free Research eBook As an added bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE ebook titled: “How to use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion.” Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating: "....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic." How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626 Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACiarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.