A Delta State High Court in Obiaruku has granted a Ukwuani councillor permission to sue the chairman and treasurer of the local government over alleged refusal to disclose statutory financial records.
Justice S. L. Okeleke approved on January 19, 2026, after hearing an ex parte application filed by lawyer Evans Ufeli on behalf of Councillor Chukwuemeke Victor, who represents Ward 19 of Ezhionum Kingdom in the Ukwuani Legislative Council.
The court ruled that the councillor has the legal standing to approach the court, noting that his position in the legislative arm gives him a direct interest in the management and disclosure of public funds.
Following the ruling, Councillor Victor has filed a Motion on Notice against the Chairman of Ukwuani Local Government Council, Barrister Chiamaka Solomon Possible Ajede; the Treasurer, Solomon Johnson Udih; and the Ukwuani Local Government Legislative House.
The suit, filed under Order 44 Rules 1–3 of the Delta State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2018, and the Delta State Local Government Establishment Law, 2017, accuses the council’s executive of failing to publish its monthly revenue, income and expenditure from July 2024 to date.
The councillor is asking the court to declare that the treasurer’s alleged failure to make the records public amounts to a breach of statutory duty.
He is also seeking an order of mandamus compelling the council chairman to direct the treasurer to immediately publish all outstanding financial records as required by law.
In addition, the suit seeks an order compelling the chairman to provide the legislative arm with the council’s monthly wage bill and performance index for the 2025 budget, with copies served on all councillors.
The case also challenges the council’s budget process, alleging that the 2025 draft budget was passed within two days without proper legislative scrutiny or debate.
The councillor further claims that expenditure items for Ukwuani Local Government were allegedly merged with those of Ika North East Local Government Area, a move he describes as illegal, opaque and contrary to financial regulations.
Based on these claims, he is asking the court to restrain the chairman from presenting the 2026 draft budget until all outstanding financial disclosures are made.
He is also seeking an order preventing the legislative house from receiving or approving the 2026 budget until the alleged violations are remedied.
In a supporting statement, the councillor said all internal efforts to secure compliance had failed, making judicial intervention necessary to protect transparency and accountability at the grassroots.
The case is expected to test the scope of financial disclosure obligations placed on local government officials under Delta State law and could set a precedent for council governance across the state.
Meanwhile, the Ukwuani Legislative Arm has suspended Councillor Victor indefinitely following its sitting on Tuesday.
The suspension, which takes immediate effect, bars him from receiving salaries and other entitlements.
According to the House, the action was taken because the councillor allegedly failed to present the matter internally before approaching the court, contrary to its Standing Rules.
The House also noted that he had previously been suspended over a similar issue, though that suspension was later lifted.
