Court Dismisses Alia’s application Seeking Dismissal of Local Government Chairmen
Written by Joey Shekwonuzhibo on July 26, 2023
In the north central, Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, has dismissed the Motion on Notice filed by Governor of the State, Hyacinth Alia, asking the State High Court to set aside the judgment obtained by 23 suspended Local Government chairmen from the National Industrial Court, Makurdi Division.
Justice Ikpambese dismissed the application for lacking in merit.
The Makurdi Division of the NIC had in a judgment delivered by Justice I. A. Essien, restrained the governor, the state government, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, and three others from dissolving or suspending the elected council bosses without due process before the expiration of their tenure in office on June 29, 2024, amongst other reliefs.
Ruling on the application, Justice Ikpambese held that a court can only sit over the judgment of a court of coordinate jurisdiction if the judgment is a nullity or the judgment was obtained by fraud.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of Kwande Local Government, Orjiir Gbande, described the judgment as sound, noting that, it is a victory for democracy.
