The Federal High Court in Abuja declined to halt the impeachment proceedings initiated by the Edo State House of Assembly against Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu. Justice James Omotosho dismissed an oral application by Shaibu’s lawyer, Prof. Olawoyin Awoyale, (SAN), seeking an order for parties in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/321/2024 to maintain the status quo.
In rejecting the request, the judge pointed out that the Governor of Edo State and the Edo State House of Assembly, the primary actors in the matter, had not been served with the Originating Summons of the suit as required by law. Consequently, Justice Omotoso granted Shaibu’s request to serve the court papers on Governor Obaseki and the State House of Assembly through substituted means.
The Judge ordered that the court process be affixed at the entrance gate of the Edo State Government House and the gate of the state House of Assembly Complex in Benin. Additionally, he directed that all court papers be served on the involved parties using a registered courier company. Further proceedings in the case were adjourned until April 15.
The Edo State House of Assembly had commenced impeachment proceedings against Shaibu on March 5, 2024, citing allegations of leaking government secrets. Subsequently, the Assembly requested the Chief Judge of the state to constitute a seven-man panel to investigate the allegations.
In an attempt to halt the impeachment process, Shaibu filed suit FHC/ABJ/CS/321/2024 before Justice Omotoso, seeking an order to restrain the defendants from proceeding with his impeachment. However, the judge, for the second time, declined to grant Shaibu temporary relief to halt the impeachment proceedings.
This move is seen as the latest development in the ongoing tension between Shaibu and Governor Godwin Obaseki. The strained relationship between the deputy governor and his principal escalated last year when Shaibu declared his intention to contest in the Edo governorship race.
