Court Hears Suit On Sacked Elected Council Officials, May 23.

Justice P. T. Kwahar of the Benue State High Court, sitting in Makurdi, has fixed May 23, 2024, for the hearing of a suit challenging the unconstitutional sacking of elected local government officials in the state and the subsequent appointment of caretaker committees in violation of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The suit was filed by activist, SesughAkume against the Governor of Benue and four others.

Akume alleges that the sacking of elected council chairmen and councilors in the state by Governor Hyacinth Ali’s administration and their replacement with cronies was unconstitutional.

Recall that Akume, suing as a private citizen, dragged Governor Ali, the Attorney-General, the Speaker and House of Assembly, and the Special Adviser, Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, before the Benue State High Court.

Akume contends that Governor Ali’s action of sacking or indefinitely suspending elected local government officials since June 23, 2023, without justification, has left the local government system rudderless, with no governance in place.