The Edo State Government is facing a legal challenge from former members of the dissolved Edo State Civil Service Commission. The officials, who were removed from office, have filed a lawsuit at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) in Benin, claiming their dismissal was unconstitutional.
The claimants—Iguodala Aluyi, Ehi Obaseki, Adegboyega Gilbert, Juliana Olatunji, and Margaret Ohiowele—are seeking their reinstatement and demanding N250 million in damages for what they describe as an unjust termination of their appointments.
The case, identified as NICN/BEN/06/2025, lists the Edo State Government, Governor Monday Okpebholo, Deputy Governor, Attorney General, Accountant General, and Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly as defendants. The court has given the defendants 14 days to respond to the lawsuit.
The former officials argue that the Edo State Civil Service Commission, established under Section 197 of the 1999 Constitution, cannot be dissolved by an executive order. They want the court to determine whether the state government had the legal authority to dissolve the commission through a publication dated December 17, 2024.
In their plea, the claimants state:
The governor and his deputy exceeded their constitutional powers by dissolving the commission.
The December 17, 2024, publication announcing their dismissal should be declared unconstitutional, null, and void.
Their appointments, made on October 15, 2024, remain valid and legally binding, as they are entitled to a five-year tenure under Section 201(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
The court should issue an order reinstating them and ensuring they receive all salaries, allowances, and benefits due from the time of their dismissal.
Furthermore, they are asking for an order barring the Edo State Government and its agents from taking any further actions that could prevent them from carrying out their duties until their tenure officially ends.
The claimants are also demanding N250 million in damages for the sudden termination of their appointments, which they say has caused them financial loss and reputational damage.
The Edo State Government has yet to issue an official response to the lawsuit. However, political analysts note that this case could set a legal precedent regarding governors’ powers over independent commissions.
