By

Adeyinka Adedipe

Suspected thugs on Monday shut down the Etsako West Local Government Secretariat in Edo State, leaving the chairman, Marvellous Zibiri, and workers stranded and unable to access their offices.

The PUNCH reports that the state House of Assembly, on December 17, 2024, suspended the chairmen and vice chairmen of the 18 local government areas of the state for two months, following a petition by the governor over the refusal of the chairmen to submit financial records of their councils.

The Assembly also mandated leaders of the legislative arms to take over leadership of their respective councils for the two-month duration.

The chairmen took the government to court and on December 20, 2024, the court, presided over by Justice Efe Ikponmwhonba, halted the suspension and reinstated the chairmen.

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Also, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, condemned the development, saying it was against the Supreme Court judgment of July 11, 2024, which granted full autonomy to local government.

While a few chairmen were able to access their offices after the court order, efforts by other chairmen to resume duties on December 23, 2024, were rebuffed by suspected thugs in the councils.

During a visit to the council secretariat in Auchi on Monday, the main entrance to the council secretariat was blocked by a group of suspected thugs who prevented the council chairman and his deputy from gaining access.

?Also, council workers who reported for duty met the whole place barricaded and were forced to stay under the trees outside the secretariat.

A police van was seen positioned at the entrance to the council.

Speaking with The PUNCH, a council worker who pleaded anonymity said the workers met the hoodlums on their arrival.

He noted that the police officers at the scene stood aloof and seemed to be uninterested in what was going on within the council.

?We reported to duty this morning only to find the gate of the secretariat locked by suspected thugs.

?It is a sad development and I hope it can be resolved soon. The police are here but they seem not to be interested in what is happening. It is a sad situation,? he said.

Efforts to get the chairman of the council to speak on the situation failed as he did not pick up calls put through to him.

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