A fierce legal dispute has broken out between the Lagos State House of Assembly and the Chairman of Alimosho Local Government, Hon. Jelili Sulaimon. The council chairman’s lawyer, Dr. Abdul Mahmud, has denounced his suspension by the Assembly, labeling the move unconstitutional and a direct violation of Nigeria’s Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy.
In a statement issued by Mahmud on behalf of Levite Solicitors and Arbitrators, the legal team strongly condemned the suspension of the Alimosho council boss, which was allegedly orchestrated by the Speaker of the Lagos Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.
Suspension Sparks Constitutional Debate
Hon. Jelili Sulaimon was suspended by the Lagos State House of Assembly, with his Vice Chairman, Akinpelu Johnson, immediately directed to take over the running of the council. The lawmakers’ decision was swiftly met with a counterattack from Sulaimon’s legal team, who argue that the move not only violates constitutional law but also flies in the face of a Supreme Court decision that underscores the autonomy of local governments.
“We, Attorneys to Hon. Jelili Sulaimon, unequivocally condemn the decision of the Lagos State House of Assembly to suspend the Chairman of Alimosho Local Government,” Mahmud stated.
“The decision is not only illegal and unconstitutional but also constitutes a blatant affront to the recent decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which affirmed the autonomy and independence of local governments under the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”
Supreme Court Ruling and Local Government Autonomy
The controversy surrounding the suspension of Hon. Sulaimon taps into a larger legal framework regarding the powers and autonomy of local government councils. Nigeria’s federal system grants local governments significant independence in managing their own affairs, as emphasized by a Supreme Court ruling that limited state interference in local governance.
“The autonomy of local government councils is a fundamental pillar of Nigeria’s federal system, and any attempt to undermine that autonomy is a violation of constitutional provisions,” Mahmud stated.
He further emphasized that the Supreme Court ruling makes it clear that local governments must be allowed to manage their own affairs without undue interference from state Houses of Assembly.
Assembly’s Actions Exceed Constitutional Mandates, Says Lawyer
Mahmud argued that the Lagos Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, had overstepped its constitutional mandate by interfering in the affairs of the Alimosho council. He highlighted that local governments have their own legislative councils responsible for overseeing their operations.
“The decision of the Lagos State House of Assembly to suspend Mr. Sulaimon exceeds their constitutional powers. Local governments are vested with powers to manage their affairs independently, and the Assembly’s action undermines this legal principle,” Mahmud said.
This action, according to the lawyer, not only contravenes the Nigerian Constitution but also represents an attempt to sabotage the democratic governance of local councils in the state.
