On Tuesday, a motion urging Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba to step down temporarily due to federal bribery allegations was struck down by the Jackson City Council.
City Councilman Kenneth Stokes from Ward 3, who introduced the motion, emphasized the importance of the mayor stepping aside during this challenging period.
He commented that the mayor’s indictment, which includes serious charges such as conspiracy, bribery, wire fraud, racketeering, and money laundering, creates a troubling atmosphere for the city.
Federal authorities allege that Lumumba accepted $50,000 in campaign contributions from undercover FBI agents disguised as real estate developers.
In return, it is claimed the mayor promised to use his official position to support their bid for a City contract.
Alongside Lumumba, Ward 6 City Councilman Aaron Banks and Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens faced arraignment at the Thad Cochran United States Courthouse on November 7, 2024, with all three men pleading not guilty.
The mayor remains steadfast in his refusal to resign and intends to run for re-election this year.
After his court appearance, he asserted, “As I indicated in this courtroom today, I am not guilty. So, I will not proceed as a guilty man,” while addressing the media outside the courthouse.
In response to a request from the defendants’ legal teams, U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Jordan has permitted a delay in the trial to allow for thorough review of “hundreds of hours of recordings and thousands of pages of other evidence.”
During his time in office, Lumumba has been outspoken against state efforts to gain control over Jackson-managed resources such as the Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport and Smith-Wills Stadium.
In his State of the City address on October 10, 2024, he expressed a desire for a cooperative approach with state leaders to advance the city while insisting that Jackson should not relinquish its assets.
At the recent council meeting, Stokes warned that the bribery scandal could discourage state lawmakers from providing financial aid to Jackson.
“With the dark cloud on this city, they’re going to do even less,” he stated, highlighting concerns about the city’s image.
Votes were split on the resolution, with Ward 5 Councilman Vernon Hartley and Ward 1 Councilman Ashby Foote supporting the leave of absence, while Ward 2 Councilwoman Tina Clay and Ward 4 Councilman Brian Grizzell opposed it.
Council President Virgi Lindsay chose to abstain, expressing that discussions about the mayor’s fate should remain within the judicial system and upholding the principle that individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Councilman Banks was not present for the vote.
While Lumumba refrained from commenting directly on the resolution, his chief of staff, Dr. Safiya R. Omari, passionately defended the mayor’s ability to fulfill his duties.
“We just finished an agenda—when you count the items, it’s 73 items,” Omari noted, underscoring recent accomplishments aimed at propelling the city forward.
She highlighted ongoing discussions regarding increasing opportunities for residents to become real estate developers and enhancing parks, indicating that these efforts demonstrate an active and capable administration.
As the year progresses, both Lumumba’s position and any council role are slated for re-election.
