Abuja, Thursday – The Federal High Court in Abuja has renewed a previous order that restrains the Defendants in a lawsuit brought by Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu of Edo State. The suit targets Governor Godwin Obaseki, the Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, the Chief Judge of Edo State, and others. The court’s decision prevents the Defendants from proceeding with the impeachment of the Deputy Governor through the State House of Assembly.
During the recent court session, legal representatives for the second, third, fourth, and fifth defendants were present. The Attorney General of Edo State, Osaze Oluwole Uzzi Esq, appeared on behalf of the Chief Judge of Edo State and the fifth defendant.
While most defendants’ counsels stated that their processes had been filed, the Department of State Services (DSS), representing the second defendant, informed the court that they were yet to file their process to show cause. However, the first defendant, the Inspector General of Police, had not yet entered appearance.
The presiding Judge ordered all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum and adjourned the hearing to August 22, 2023. The court directed the second defendant to file the necessary process and instructed the court registrar to issue and serve a hearing notice on the first defendant.
The Deputy Governor had initiated a lawsuit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1027/2023) titled Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu v. Inspector General of Police & 4 others. On August 3, 2023, Justice A.R Muhammed of the Federal High Court issued an order restraining the parties from taking any steps towards impeaching the plaintiff in his capacity as the Deputy Governor of Edo State.
This decision marks a continuation of legal proceedings aimed at safeguarding the Deputy Governor from impeachment actions within the State House of Assembly. The court’s renewal of the order reinforces the stance against any immediate attempts to remove the Deputy Governor from office.
