Abuja court orders reinstatement of Shaibu as Edo deputy governor

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has given a ruling voiding the impeachment of Phillip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State.

Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Omotosho emphasized that the Edo State House of Assembly had failed to adhere to due process in impeaching Shuaibu.

In his verdict, Justice Omotosho directed that Shaibu be immediately reinstated to his former office, declaring the appointment of the new Deputy Governor who replaced him null and void.

The court determined that the allegations leading to the impeachment were legally insubstantial and did not constitute gross misconduct.

Furthermore, the court instructed the Inspector General of Police to ensure Shaibu’s security, enabling him to resume office and discharge his duties until the completion of his tenure.

READ ALSO:Edo APC woos Shaibu, others, mocks PDP for expelling former Dep Gov

Shaibu, responding to the court’s decision, expressed his commitment to fulfilling his responsibilities as the Deputy Governor of Edo State, emphasizing his loyalty to the state’s leadership and governance.

Shaibu’s rift with Governor Godwin Obaseki stemmed from his aspiration to succeed his boss. Despite Obaseki’s endorsement of Asue Ighodalo as his preferred candidate, Shaibu and nine others contested against Ighodalo, who eventually secured the nomination.

Following the nomination process, the Edo State House of Assembly impeached Shaibu on Monday, April 8, 2024, following the adoption of a report by a seven-man investigative panel chaired by retired Justice S.A. Omonua. The panel had investigated allegations of misconduct including perjury and the leaking of government secrets against the former deputy governor.

Shaibu declined to appear before the panel during its proceedings.

Shaibu’s impeachment was supported by 18 out of 19 members present during the Assembly’s plenary session, with one member abstaining from the vote.

Governor Obaseki subsequently appointed Marvellous Omobayo as his new deputy following Shaibu’s impeachment, to serve out the remainder of his second term in office, which concludes on November 11, 2024.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now