Ex-Benue Assembly Speaker Dajoh Challenges Suspension, Seeks N2 Billion in Damages
The crisis rocking the Benue State House of Assembly has taken a legal turn as former Speaker Rt. Hon. Aondona Dajoh has filed a suit at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Abuja Division, seeking redress over his suspension and the withholding of his entitlements.
In a suit filed on December 5, 2025 and marked NICN/ABJ/368/2025, Dajoh, represented by prominent constitutional lawyer Prof. Sebastine Hon, SAN, is contesting his six-month suspension from the Assembly, which began in November 2025, along with the stoppage of his monthly overhead and emoluments of N8 million.
The former Speaker is asking the court to declare that his suspension and the withholding of his entitlements are unconstitutional, unlawful, and a violation of his right to a fair hearing. He claims the action contravenes Sections 36(1) and 101 of the 1999 Constitution as well as provisions of the Benue State House of Assembly Standing Orders (Order X, Rules 72(11) and (12)).
Court documents obtained by SaharaReporters list the following as defendants: the current Speaker, the Benue State House of Assembly, the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Department of State Services (DSS). Dajoh argues that the involvement of security agencies in barring him from Assembly premises was unlawful and orchestrated by the Assembly leadership.
The suit seeks seven reliefs, including:
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Immediate reinstatement as the member representing Gboko West Constituency, with full rights, privileges, and entitlements.
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Payment of all withheld allowances from November 2025 until judgment, totaling N8 million monthly.
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Perpetual injunctions restraining the defendants from taking any action to suspend, bar, or prevent him from accessing the Assembly premises.
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General damages of N1 billion for mental and psychological distress caused by the suspension.
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Aggravated damages of N1 billion for the alleged unconscionable conduct of the Assembly in extending his suspension immediately after a previous three-month suspension ended.
The originating summons requests the court to determine whether Dajoh’s suspension, carried out without what he calls lawful justification or fair hearing, is constitutional and valid.
Dajoh, who served as Speaker until his removal earlier in 2025, has been at the center of ongoing political tensions within the Benue legislature. His consecutive suspensions have intensified the crisis and attracted scrutiny from legal and political analysts.
The defendants have been given eight days to enter an appearance following service of the summons.
