JUST IN: Many Injured as Two Edo Council Chairmen Impeached

Tensions escalated in Edo State on Tuesday as two local government chairmen were impeached in Uhunmwonde and Orhionmwon, deepening the crisis affecting local councils in the region. The impeachments, reportedly initiated by elected councillors, have sparked accusations, legal disputes, and violence.

In Uhunmwonde, several individuals sustained injuries after gunmen allegedly attacked bystanders during the impeachment proceedings. The council chairman, Kenneth Adodo, accused the attackers of being policemen linked to the government house, a claim that has intensified the controversy.

In Orhionmwon, councillors impeached the Leader of the House, Hon. Daniel Osariemen, and replaced him with Hon. Chuks Isan after discovering plans to impeach the council chairman, Hon. Newman Ugiagbe, and his Vice, Midwest Ogbebor. Following his impeachment, Osariemen allegedly took over the council secretariat in Abudu and declared himself Acting Chairman, an act condemned by Ugiagbe as illegal. Ugiagbe, through his Press Secretary, Roy Osariemen, reaffirmed his position as chairman, dismissing the actions in Abudu as baseless.

Meanwhile, the embattled chairman of Owan East, Prince Aminu Okodo-Kadiri, decried his impeachment and that of his Vice, Hon. Clement Ojebuovbo, as unconstitutional. Speaking to journalists in Benin City, Okodo-Kadiri argued that the processes violated the Edo State Local Government Law of 2000 (as amended in 2002), which requires the establishment of a seven-member investigative panel and provides the accused an opportunity to defend themselves.

He further claimed the impeachment proceedings lacked legality, citing the use of an unofficial mace and the participation of suspended councillors, including Hon. Haruna Mohammed and a member from Ward Seven. According to Okodo-Kadiri, these councillors were not reinstated through proper channels, invalidating the impeachment process.

Addressing allegations of embezzlement made by the state governor, Okodo-Kadiri denied any wrongdoing, stating that council salaries, exceeding ₦50 million monthly, were paid promptly up to November. He challenged the governor to provide evidence of misappropriation, emphasizing the transparency of council bank records.

Vowing to pursue justice through the judiciary, Okodo-Kadiri expressed confidence in the courts to overturn what he described as an illegal and politically motivated impeachment. He reiterated his commitment to upholding the rule of law and restoring order in the council.