“Suspended Council Chair Sulaiman Calls on Lagos Govt to Uphold Judicial Authority”

Babatunji Wusu –

• Jelili Sulaiman calls for the suspension to be halted, citing legal proceedings.
• The case is pending in the Federal High Court, highlighting the importance of due process.
• Sulaiman advises the Permanent Secretary to cease actions related to the suspension.
• The situation involves an unconstitutional resolution from the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The suspended Chairman of Alimosho Local Government Council, Jelili Sulaiman, has urged the Lagos State Government to refrain from enforcing his suspension by the State Assembly. In a statement released on Thursday through his legal representatives, Dr. Abdul Mahmud and Levite Solicitors and Arbitrators, Sulaiman contended that the suspension is subjudice and should not proceed.

Sulaiman pointed out that there is a pending case regarding this matter before the Federal High Court in Abuja. He called on the state to uphold due process and respect the judiciary. Furthermore, he advised the Permanent Secretary to halt any actions related to his purported suspension.

Sulaiman specifically referenced a letter from Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Rural Development, dated October 8, 2024. This letter directed Mr. Akinpelu Johnson, Vice Chairman of Alimosho Local Government Area, to assume the role of Acting Chairman based on what Sulaiman described as an unconstitutional resolution from the Lagos State House of Assembly.

He noted that the Permanent Secretary subsequently issued another letter instructing Mr. Johnson to await further directives from the Executive Governor of Lagos State. Sulaiman emphasized that the purported suspension and related actions are subjudice, as the case, Jelili Sulaimon & Anor v Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly & 5 Others, is currently under judicial consideration. He asserted that any further action to implement the suspension would violate the rule of law and infringe upon the ongoing judicial process.