BLESSING Agbebaku-led Edo State House of Assembly has appealed the judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court (FHC) sitting in Abuja which earlier today shredded the impeachment of ex-deputy governor, Philip Shaibu and reinstated him.
The Assembly has also filed for a stay of execution of the judgment pending the final determination of the appeal.
The 24-member Assembly on 8 April 2024, impeached Mr 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 Mr Shaibu, a former House of Representatives member.
Despite his refusal to appear before the panel, Mr Shaibu was impeached by 18 of the 19 lawmakers present at the plenary, with one abstaining.
Following Mr Shaibu’s impeachment, Governor Godwin Obaseki appointed Godwin Omobayo as the new deputy governor, who was inaugurated the same day to help the governor complete his second term, ending on 12 November 2024.
Justice Omotosho, however, voided the impeachment of Mr Shaibu and ordered his reinstatement to office as according to the court, the members of the Edo Assembly failed to comply with due process in purporting to have impeached Mr Shaibu.
The presiding judge also ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr Kayode Egbetokun, to provide Mr Shaibu with the needed security personnel to enable him to resume office and perform the functions of the office, until the end of his tenure, while setting aside the appointment of Omobayo as Shaibu’s replacement.
Eighteen-Eleven Media