Office relocation: Youth group vows to continue case against LG boss

The Ibaji Progressive Youth Foundation (IPYF) in Kogi State has vowed not to withdraw the suit against the Chairman of Ibaji Local Government Council, William Obiora IkoOjo over his refusal to operate from the council’s headquarters in Onyedega.

The youth group had taken the chairman to court for operating from Idah, a neighbouring headquarter of another council, in June 2021 at Lokoja High Court.

The group sought the court to determine the constitutionality of relocating the council’s offices to Idah LGA, “In the face of the provisions of section 7(16) and section 14(1-4) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

The case was first heard in November 2021, before it was transferred to Idah High Court for further hearing.

The National President of IPYF , Comrade Apeh Kelvin, told North Central Trust that they have learnt that following the latest hearing of the case on Tuesday, the chairman had directed his officials to relocate to Onyedega and had shut down the Idah office.

“After resumed sitting in court yesterday, we decided to visit the liaison office at Idah to serve the local government chairman a letter requesting for certain information under the Freedom of Information Act 2011.

“We discovered that there is a notice directing all staff to relocate from the Ibaji Liaison Office in Idah to the Ibaji Local Government Secretariat.

“Despite the notice for relocation, the Ibaji Progressive Youth Foundation is not satisfied. The case won’t be withdrawn until the court gives its judgment,” he said.

North Central Trust correspondent gathered that the council has shut down the liaison office in Idah through a memo signed by one Augustine Fada Okolo, directing all staff to move to the LG secretariat in Onyedega on Friday.