Court Sacks 13 LG Chairmen, Declares Elections Unconstitutional
- The Federal High Court in Abakaliki has nullified Ebonyi local government and councillorship elections held in July 2024
- Justice Hillary Oshomah declared the elections unconstitutional and barred future polls not compliant with the law
- Plaintiffs’ counsel, Hamilton Ogbodo, hailed the ruling as a victory for democracy and constitutional order
The Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki has annulled the local government and councillorship elections held across Ebonyi State in July 2024.
The court ruled that the exercise, which produced the current council chairmen and councillors, failed to comply with the provisions of the electoral act.
Source: Twitter
Justice Hillary Oshomah, who delivered the judgment, declared the entire process invalid and directed that all outcomes of the election be set aside, The Nation reported.
He further restrained the Ebonyi state Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) and the state government from conducting any future local government polls unless done strictly in accordance with the Constitution and relevant electoral laws.
Court orders strict compliance with law
The court’s verdict came after a suit filed by two plaintiffs, Samuel Udeogu and Mudi Erhenede, through their counsels, Hamilton Ogbodo and other legal representatives.
They had argued that the election process was marred by irregularities and did not meet the legal framework governing democratic elections in Nigeria.
Justice Oshomah, in his ruling, upheld most of the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs. He issued a consequential order reinforcing that the state’s electoral body must adhere to constitutional guidelines in any subsequent exercise.
The judgment effectively dissolves all existing local government administrations in the state.
Plaintiff’s counsel hails judgment
Reacting to the ruling, counsel to the first plaintiff, Hamilton Ogbodo, described the court’s decision as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.
He commended the judiciary for upholding constitutional order and restoring public confidence in the legal process.
Governor increases minimum wage to N90k
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Ebonyi state government had announced an increment in the minimum wage of state civil servants. Specifically, the state increased the wages from N70,000 to N90,000.
Source: Facebook
The Ebonyi commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Ikeuwa Omebe, made the disclosure on Thursday, August 28.
The commissioner made the revelation while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the state Executive Council (EXCO) meeting.
Governor rewards man with N10m
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that an Ebonyi man based in Lagos, Comrade Jeremiah Obaji, on Tuesday, September 9, narrated his ordeals on the road after he trekked for 17 days from Ikorodu area of the state, to Abakaliki, Ebonyi state capital.
His walk, he noted, was to express gratitude to Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for restoring peace in the troubled Effium community of Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state. During the journey, Obaji said he faced hunger, fatigue, and insect bites, and at some point had to abandon his jeans due to blisters.
Obaji, who began his journey on August 21, 2025, arrived in Abakaliki on September 7, 2025, covering over 600 kilometres on foot. In a chat with newsmen in Abakaliki, he said the trek was his way of thanking Governor Nwifuru for brokering peace in the Ezza-Effium conflict through the creation of five autonomous communities.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
