Court halts Shaibu’s impeachment, orders status quo

The Federal High Court, Abuja, renewing an earlier order restraining the Defendants in the suit instituted by Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu of Edo State, against Governor Godwin Obaseki, the Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, the Chief Judge of Edo State. and others, restrained that defendants from impeaching the the Deputy Governor by the State House of Assembly.

At the resumed hearing, counsels to the second, third fourth and fifth defendants were in court. The Attorney General of Edo State, Osaze Oluwole Uzzi Esq, made appearance for the Chief Judge of Edo State and the fifth defendant.

Apart from counsel to the second defendant, the Department of State Services (DSS), who told the court that they were yet to file their process to show cause, counsel for other defendants told the court their processes have been filled. However, the first defendant, the Inspector General of Police, was yet to enter appearance.

The Judge ordering all parties to continue to maintain the status quo ante bellum, adjourned the matter to August 22, 2023, for hearing, directing the 2nd defendant to file the necessary process and for the registrar of court to issue and serve hearing notice on the first defendant.

The Deputy Governor had filed a suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1027/2023 between Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu v. Inspector General of Police & 4 others, Justice A.R Muhammed of the Federal High Court on the 3rd of August 2023, in which the court gave an order restraining the parties from taking steps towards impeaching the plaintiff in his capacity as Deputy Governor of Edo State.