Amidst the legal dispute surrounding the impeachment proceedings against Edo State’s Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, the Federal High Court in Abuja has delivered a significant ruling. Justice James Omotosho, presiding over the case, declined an oral plea to halt the impeachment proceedings initiated by the Edo State House of Assembly against Shaibu.
Shaibu’s lawyer, Prof. Olawoyin Awoyale (SAN), made an oral application to maintain the status quo in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/321/2024. However, Justice Omotosho pointed out that neither the Governor of Edo State nor the Edo State House of Assembly had been served with the originating summons of the suit, as required by law.
As a result, Justice Omotosho granted Shaibu’s request to serve the court papers on Governor Obaseki and the state House of Assembly through substituted means. He directed 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, the judge mandated that all court papers be served on the parties involved using a registered courier company.
Further proceedings on the matter were adjourned until April 15.
The impeachment proceedings against Shaibu, which began on March 5, 2024, are rooted in allegations of leaking government secrets. The Edo State House of Assembly had written to the Chief Judge of the state to establish a seven-man panel to investigate these allegations against Shaibu.
In an effort to halt the impeachment, Shaibu filed a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/321/2024 before Justice Omotoso. He sought an order restraining the defendants from proceeding with his impeachment. However, this is the second instance where the judge has refused to grant Shaibu temporary relief to halt the impeachment process.
The ongoing impeachment saga highlights the strained relationship between Shaibu and Governor Godwin Obaseki. Tensions between the deputy governor and his principal have been evident since last year when Shaibu declared his intention to contest in the Edo governorship race.
