Court Dismisses Suit to Extend Tenures of Ex-Rivers LG Chairmen

A legal attempt to extend the tenures of former local government chairmen in Rivers State has been struck out by the court, affirming the end of their terms.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit brought by Chidi Lloyd and 20 other former council chairmen from Rivers. The suit aimed to extend their tenures, which had ended on June 16th, 2024.

The former chairmen took legal action to extend their constitutional three-year term, which had expired due to an amendment in the local government law by the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule. This amendment allegedly prolonged their tenure for an additional six months.

In the case identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/537/2024, Justice James Omotosho dismissed the lawsuit on Friday due to a lack of locus standi.

In his decision, the judge ruled that the former chairmen had no legal right to remain in office and declared their continued stay illegal.

Justice Omotosho determined that the 21 former chairmen’s terms had ended, meaning they no longer held their positions and therefore did not have the authority to protest.

Remember that even though there was a controversial judgment attempting to halt it, the Rivers State government proceeded with council elections on October 5th, 2024, and inaugurated the newly elected chairmen on October 6th, 2024.