JUSTICE James Omotosho of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed an application for a stay of execution filed by the Edo State government and the state House of Assembly.
The case sought to halt the reinstatement of Comrade Philip Shaibu as deputy governor of Edo State, but the court rejected the applicants’ plea and instead imposed a fine of ₦200,000 on each appellant, including Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Speaker of the state House of Assembly.
Justice Omotosho’s ruling follows his earlier judgement in July 2024, which declared Shaibu’s impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly illegal, unconstitutional, and null. The court had ruled that the process violated sections 188 and 35 of the 1999 Constitution and subsequently ordered Shaibu’s immediate reinstatement.
The judge emphasized that the attempt to upturn his previous judgment lacked merit, reaffirming Shaibu’s rightful position as deputy governor. He also directed that Comrade Shaibu’s full salaries and allowances, withheld since his impeachment in April, be paid in full.
Justice Omotosho issued a perpetual injunction, barring Governor Obaseki and the Edo State House of Assembly from interfering with Shaibu’s role as deputy governor. Additionally, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, was ordered to restore Comrade Shaibu’s security details, which has already been done in compliance with the court’s earlier directive.
This ruling further compounds Governor Obaseki’s woes. Only last weekend, he lost the battle to have one of his coteries succeed him in office. Mr Asue Ighodalo, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was defeated by his All Progressives Congress (APC) rival in the governorship election conducted on Saturday, 21 September. Mr Ighodalo was Governor Obaseki’s choice.
Eighteen-Eleven Media