The Abuja division of the Federal High Court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Chidi Lloyd and 20 other former Rivers council chairmen seeking to prolong their tenure after it expired on June 16th, 2024.
The former chairmen had gone to court to extend their constitutional three-year tenure, which had expired due to a modification to the local government statute by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly, which allegedly extended their tenures by another six months.
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Justice James Omotosho dismissed the lawsuit (FHC/ABJ/CS/537/2024) on Friday, citing a lack of locus standi.
The judge ruled that the former chairman had no legal right to remain in office, making their prolonged tenure unconstitutional.
Justice Omotosho concluded that the 21 former chairmen lost their status as chairman when their terms expired and so had no right to protest.
Remember that, despite a contentious decision attempting to prevent it, the Rivers state administration held council elections on October 5, 2024, and swore in the newly elected chairmen on October 6, 2024.
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