Lagos Assembly summons Justice Commissioner, Solicitor-General, 3 others over executive order

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday has summoned the Commissioner of Justice and  Attorney-General, Lawal Pedro SAN, Solicitor- General,  Mr. Ahmed Oyenuga, Commissioner for Local government, Bolaji Roberts and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; and Director of Litigation.

According to the House, they are to appear before the House to make clarifications over an Executive Order after Governor’s assent on an existing Law.

The lawmakers resolved to summon them following a letter forwarded to the House by Solicitor- General, Mr. Ahmed Oyenuga, and read by the Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko during plenary.

The letter titled “Lagos State Government: Commencement Order, Local Government Administration Law 2025 ” refers to the recent conduct of the APC Local Government Primary election in the State.

The letter sought the effectiveness of the Local Government Administration Law until August 4th, 2025, when newly elected council chairmen could have been sworn-in.

Describing the Executive Order as delicate and sensitive, Chairman of the Committee on Local Government Administration Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Hon. Sanni Ganiyu (Kosofe 1) stated that the Local Government Administration Bill 2025 had already been assented to by the Governor, adding  “The Law is put together by lawmakers and any attempts to vary it will undermine the legislative duties. The sanctity of the Law should be respected”.

In his contributions, Hon. Oladipo Ajomale, Chairman, Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Public Petitions and LASIEC expressed dismay over the  Order, noting that the Law in question had already been made public since the day of assent by the Governor in May, question the sudden turn around after which it had already been signed.

Hon. Lukmon Olumoh (Ajeromi-Ifelodun 1) reiterated that no Executive Order can override a valid Law that has already been assented to by the Governor.

In his submission, Speaker of the House, Rt. (Hon)Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa said that it is an opportunity to test the spirit of the Law particularly. “It allows us to test how strong and viable the Law is”.

He further noted that if a Law is challenged, it is an opportunity to look into the process of making it if truly the lawmakers have done the right thing on the Law.

Obasa emphasized that the process of making law ends with the assent of the Governor, adding “where the Governor refuses to grant assent, such law can be brought back to the Assembly”.