Lagos Government’s Suspension of Chairman Tainted by Ongoing Legal Case, Says Jelili Sulaiman’s Lawyer
The embattled Chairman of Alimosho Local Government Council, Jelili Sulaiman, has taken a bold step by warning the Lagos Government against implementing his suspension, citing the presence of a pending case before the Federal High Court. According to his lawyer, Dr. Abdul Mahmud of Levite Solicitors and Arbitrators, the suspension is subjudice and should not be carried out.
The news came as a result of a statement issued by Sulaiman’s lawyer, which drew the attention of the general public to a letter written by Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftancy Affairs and Rural Development, Lagos State. The letter, dated October 8, 2024, instructed Mr. Akinpelu Johnson, Vice Chairman of Alimosho Local Government Area, to assume office as Acting Chairman, pending further directive from the Executive Governor of Lagos State.
Sulaiman’s lawyer also highlighted that the Permanent Secretary issued another letter on the same day, instructing Johnson to await further directions from the Governor. The lawyer emphasized that the purported suspension of Sulaiman and all actions related to it are subjudice, and any further action regarding the implementation of the unconstitutional resolution would be in violation of the rule of law and an infringement on the ongoing judicial process.
In light of this, the lawyer advised the Permanent Secretary to desist from any further action concerning the purported suspension of Sulaimon, as the matter is currently pending before the Federal High Court in the case of Jelili Sulaimon & Anor v Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly & 5 Others.
This development serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to due process and respecting the judiciary in times of controversy. It remains to be seen how the Lagos Government will respond to Sulaiman’s lawyer’s demands, but one thing is clear: the battle for power and jurisdiction has reached a critical juncture.
