Political Issues
Update on the Matter of Sesugh Akume v Governor of Benue State, and Sesugh Akume v Government of Benue State
The lawsuit seek to end the practice of the governor appointing caretaker administrations in the local government system in Benue — as against having regular local government elections — by declaring them illegal and unconstitutional (as already determined and concluded by the Supreme Court) and delivered what I consider a perverse judgement on 21 July, for which we are in the process of appealing.)
The matter of Sesugh Akume v Governor of Benue State with suit number MHC/293/2020, filed on 27 August at the High Court of Benue State, Makurdi wherein I ask the court to declare illegal, the arbitrary powers of the governor to suspend local government chairmen; to withhold, spend, or release local government funds (especially federal allocations) at will, etc, has been assigned to the Honourable Mr Justice W I Kpochi.
Justice Kpochi, it was, who heard our earlier lawsuit (Sesugh Akume v Governor of Benue State marked MHC/182/2019) to end the practice of the governor appointing caretaker administrations in the local government system in Benue — as against having regular local government elections — by declaring them illegal and unconstitutional (as already determined and concluded by the Supreme Court) and delivered what I consider a perverse judgement on 21 July, for which we are in the process of appealing.)
The matter commences on 27 October before his lordship at High Court 5 Makurdi.
The matter of Sesugh Akume v Governor of Benue State with suit number MHC/294/2020 (which seeks to make freedom of information applicable to the state and local government system) and filed on the same day was declined by the Honourable Justice J M Ijohor. The matter is yet to be reassigned to another judge.
Sesugh Akume
Abuja
15 October 2020
