Nelson Utip
Aftermath of the dissolution of The Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) by governor Monday Okpebolo, the Chairman and members of the Commission have sued the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo,
They are asking the court to declare the dissolution of EDSIEC illegal and unconstitutional, and restrain the governor from reconstituting the Commission with new Chairman and members.
The claimants are Hon. Justice James Uyi Oyomire (rtd.), Mrs. Gladys Idahor, Uduafi Gabriel, Mr. Felix, Ebhota, Mr. Anthony Okekuoyen , Mr. Michael Ekhaisomi, and Mr. Vincent Aimienota
Other defendants alongside the Edo State governor, were the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Edo State, Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Jonathan Aifuobhokhan, Asein Victor, and Ighomo Thomas, Imafidon Osarodion, Dr. Suleman Ikhuoria, Hon. Anthony Aikpogjome, Umoru Habib Frank, and Aremiyau Momoh.
In suit number NICN/B/03/2025, filed by their lawyer, Gabriel Uduafi, they are also asking the court to stop the new appointees from performing the Commission’s functions until the case was resolved. The claimants also demanded N484,898,056.55 representing salaries from November 2024 to March 2027, as well as a 23 per cent annual interest on the amount, in addition to N100 million as aggravated damages for the alleged unlawful actions against them, and additional N35 million for legal fees.
In thier Originating Summons, the claimants stated that they were appointed to EDSIEC for a fixed term of five years, from March 23, 2022, to March 23, 2027, and that their removal could only occur through specific constitutional procedures for incapacity or misconduct, neither of which applied to them , they claimed that the dissolution of the Commission, as announced in a “Government Special Announcement” on December 17, 2024, is a violation of both the Nigerian Constitution and Edo State laws.
In a 20-paragraph affidavit, the first claimant Justice Oyomire rtd, stated that none of the claimants had been accused of misconduct or incapacitated to perform their duties. A date has not yet been fixed for the case.
