The Ogun State High Court has nullified the suspension and impeachment of Wale Adedayo as chairman of Ijebu East Local Government Area (LGA) and awarded him N30 million in damages. The judgment was delivered on December 10 by Justice Catherine Ogunsanya.
The court held that the Ijebu East legislative council did not follow the procedural requirements for impeaching an LGA chairman, as stipulated under the Ogun State Local Government Law.
Background of the Impeachment Saga
- In August 2023, Adedayo was suspended for three months by the LGA legislative council over allegations of maladministration and financial mismanagement. This followed his accusations that Governor Dapo Abiodun was hijacking funds meant for LGAs.
- In September 2023, he was impeached, with five out of eleven councillors voting for the impeachment, four against, and one absent. Adedayo alleged that the councillors were acting on a script from Abeokuta, implying state government interference.
- The former chairman was subsequently arrested by police based on a petition reportedly written by the state government.
Court Findings
- The petition that prompted the impeachment was never presented in court by the second and third defendants (Ijebu East LGA and legislative council).
- There was no evidence of the petition’s author or the specifics of the alleged misconduct.
- The judgment concluded that the impeachment process violated legal procedures, rendering it null and void.
This ruling restores Adedayo as chairman and underscores the court’s insistence on strict adherence to due process in local government matters.
Would you like me to summarize the key lessons from this case for other LGAs?
