The Supreme Court on Friday ordered the government of Ekiti to pay the sum of N3.3 billion to local government chairmen and councillors, who were sacked by former Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State.
The appellants were sacked by Fayemi in 2010, 15 months into the end of their tenures.
The present Minister for Solid Minerals later appointed caretaker committees to carry out the responsibilities of the sacked officials.
In a unanimous judgment read by Justice Chima Nweze, the Supreme Court held that the sack by Fayemi was illegal and unconstitutional.
Nweze ordered that the chairmen, who were unlawfully removed by the governor, be paid their salaries and other allowances for the period they were unlawfully removed from office.
Mr Wole Ayeni, former Chairman of Ikole Local Government and Mr Ogunbiyi Olasunkanmi-Synergy who spoke after the ruling, commended the court for the good judgment.
According to them, the judiciary has come to life since this matter started many years ago.
They, therefore, commended the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
Dolapo is a writer and journalist who works with YNaija. He has interests in Christianity, politics and sports.
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