Court Nullifies Philip Shaibu's Impeachment

 

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday reinstated Phillip Shuaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State thereby nullifying his impeachment.

Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment  ordered his reinstatement to office on the grounds that the Edo State House of Assembly failed to comply with due process in purporting to impeach Shuaibu.

It was gathered that Shuaibu, who was in court  shed tears of joy upon hearing the judge’s pronouncements

Justice Omotosho held that the allegation on which the House of Assembly based the impeachment proceedings was untenable in law and does not constitute a gross misconduct.

The judge ordered the IGP to provide him with needed security to enable him resume office and perform the functions of the office until the end of his tenure.

Justice Omotosho set aside the appointment of another Deputy Governor in the place of Shuaibu.

However, the Edo State House of Assembly has appealed the judgement by Hon. Justice J. K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which set aside the impeachment of the State’s former deputy governor, Philip Shaibu.

The State Assembly  also filed a stay of execution on the judgement pending appeal.

Recall that the Edo State House of Assembly, had on Monday, April 8, 2024, impeached Philip Shaibu following the adoption of the report of the seven-man investigative panel set up by the State Chief Judge to probe allegations of misconduct against the former deputy governor.

An  investigative panel set up by the EDHA headed by Justice S.A. Omonua (retd.)  probed Shaibu on allegations of perjury and leaking of government secrets, ending its sittings with the impeachment of deputy governor.

Shaibu was impeached by the vote of eighteen out of 19 members of the Assembly present at plenary, while one abstained from the headcount and voting process.

Consequently, the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, picked Omobayo Marvellous Godwins as his deputy to complete his second tenure in office, which lapses on November 11, 2024.