The embattled Chairman of Alimosho Local Government Council in Lagos, Jelili Suleiman, has condemned his suspension by the Lagos State House of Assembly, labeling it as illegal and unconstitutional.
Suleiman, through his lawyer, Dr. Abdul Mahmud, emphasized that the decision of the House contradicts the Supreme Court’s recent ruling, which affirmed the autonomy and independence of local governments under the 1999 Constitution.
In a statement released by his legal representative in Abuja, Suleiman expressed strong disapproval of the suspension, particularly criticizing the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, for directing his deputy to take over council affairs.
The lawyer argued that this move violates constitutional principles.
“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 referenced the recent Supreme Court decision in Attorney General of the Federation vs. Attorney General of Abia State & 35 Ors (SC/CV/343/2024), which recognized the authority of local governments to manage their own affairs without undue interference from state Houses of Assembly.
“By allegedly suspending Hon. Jelili Sulaimon, the Speaker and the Lagos State House of Assembly have acted in clear defiance of the constitutional principles enunciated by the apex court, thereby exceeding their constitutional mandates,” Mahmud added.
Suleiman’s lawyer also revealed that a pending lawsuit had been filed by his client at the Federal High Court, challenging the authority of the Speaker and the Lagos State House of Assembly to exercise oversight functions over Alimosho Local Government.
According to him, the council has its own legislative assembly, which is constitutionally charged with handling such matters, and thus, the Assembly’s actions are overreaching.
“In fact, the action of the Speaker and the Assembly, while this case is subsisting, constitutes an unlawful interference in a matter that has yet to be determined by the court,” Mahmud explained.
He further described the Assembly’s behavior as an attempt to undermine judicial proceedings. “The Speaker and his cohorts in the Lagos State House of Assembly, in their attempt to ambush and foist helplessness on the Federal High Court, have merely displayed jejune rascality,” he stated.
“If the government treats court orders with levity and contempt, the confidence of the citizens in the courts will be seriously eroded, and the effect
