An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has restrained the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) and the state government from conducting planned local government by-elections across 59 wards in the state.
The Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice were also joined as parties to the suit.
Justice Mary E. Itsueli, sitting as a vacation judge, granted the order on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, following an ex parte motion filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The PDP, through its counsel Oluwole Osaze Uzzi, Michael Ekwemuka, and P. W. Akwuen, argued that the councillors’ tenures remain valid until September 2026, making any move to declare their seats vacant unlawful.
Justice Itsueli held that the applicants had established sufficient grounds for the court to intervene and referred the case to the Chief Judge of Edo State for reassignment to a regular court. The matter was adjourned to September 30, 2025, for further hearing.
In the enrolment order, the court granted the PDP leave to apply for judicial review of EDSIEC’s decision to conduct the by-elections. It further ordered the respondents to halt any action related to the planned elections pending the determination of the substantive suit.
“This case is referred to the Honourable Chief Judge for assignment to a regular court. Return date is 30th September 2025,” Justice Itsueli stated.
