Edo State House of Assembly has appealed the Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja’s judgment, which overturned the impeachment of ex-deputy governor, Philip Shaibu and reinstated him.
The Blessing Agbebaku-led
Assembly has also filed for a stay of execution of the judgment pending the outcome of the appeal.
On April 8, 2024, the 24-member Edo State House of Assembly impeached Shaibu after adopting the report from a seven-member investigative panel led by retired Justice S.A. Omonua.
The panel, established by the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, investigated allegations of gross misconduct, perjury, and leaking government secrets against Shaibu.
Shaibu refused to appear before the panel and he was impeached by 18 of the 19 lawmakers present at the plenary, with one abstaining.
Following Shaibu’s impeachment, Governor Godwin Obaseki appointed Godwins Omobayo as the new deputy governor.
Omobayo was inaugurated the same day to help the governor complete his second term, ending on November 12, 2024.
But Justice Omotosho, on Wednesday, voided the impeachment of Shaibu and ordered his reinstatement to office because the members of the Edo Assembly failed to comply with due process in purporting to have impeached the deputy governor.
The presiding judge also ordered the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to restore Shaibu’s security aides to enable him to resume office and perform the functions of the office, until the end of his tenure.
The court also set aside the appointment of Omobayo as Shaibu’s replacement.
