The Lagos State House of Assembly has firmly advised the suspended chairman of Alimosho Local Government Area, Jelili Sulaimon, and his lawyer, Dr. Abdul Mahmud, to prioritize legal principles over emotional responses regarding the recent suspension. This statement comes in light of Mahmud’s criticism of the Assembly’s unanimous decision to suspend Sulaimon during a plenary session on October 7, 2024, and the subsequent legal action he has initiated against the Assembly.
In a response signed by Hon. Stephen Ogundipe, the chairman of the Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, the Assembly emphasized the importance of understanding the legal framework governing local governments in Lagos State. The Assembly highlighted that the creation and governance of local governments must adhere to established laws, particularly referencing Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
The Assembly asserted its legal authority, noting that the Local Government Administration Law grants it the power to suspend officials after conducting investigations, requiring only a simple majority of votes from Assembly members. The Assembly stressed that the recent suspension was justified and adhered to the rules governing local government administration in Lagos State.
