The Edo State Government has petitioned the Inspector General Police over last Thursday breakdown of law and order in Benin-City, the state capital, blaming court reinstated Deputy Governor of the state, Philip Shaibu, and others for allegedly attempting to execute a judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja for which a stay of execution had been filed and an appealed entered.
In the petition signed by the state Solicitor General, Prof. Faith Osadolor, on behalf of the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the state government alleged that Shaibu, contrary to the rule of law, resorted to self-help, leading to the wanton destruction within Benin metropolis and death of a police officer.
The government, therefore, urged the police to thoroughly investigate the matter by inviting Shaibu and associates, and, if found culpable, be brought to book.
The document was addressed to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Zone 5.
The petition reads: “Firstly, we write to formally express our heartfelt condolences to the Nigeria Police Force on the passing of one of your gallant officers, Inspector Akor Onuh, attached to MOPOL 45 Abuja, who was a victim of the attack of 18 July, 2024.
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“Inspector Onuh was a true hero and dedicated public servant who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. His bravery and commitment to protecting others will never be forgotten by the government and people of Edo State. We beseech God Almighty to comfort the Inspector General and other officers of the Nigeria Police, including the family of the departed officer.
“In addition to the above, I wish to restate, on behalf of the Edo State Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, that on the 18th day of July, 2024, there was a breakdown of law and order as a result of an attempt to enforce a court judgement which is a subject matter of a pending appeal, and to which a motion for stay of execution had been filed and served on him.
“The facts leading to this petition are presented in the manner below:”On Wednesday, 17th day of July, 2024, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja delivered a judgment nullifying the removal of Hon. Philip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State.
“The Edo State Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, who was sued as the 3rd Defendant in the said suit, immediately lodged an appeal against the said judgment alongside a motion praying the court to stay the execution of the said judgment. Copies of the Notice of Appeal and Motion for Stay of Execution were served on all parties to the Appeal, including Hon. Philip Shaibu.
“On the 18th day of July, 2024, Hon. Philip Shaibu, purportedly in an attempt to interpret and enforce the judgment without awaiting the final outcome of the judicial process and contrary to the rule of law, resorted to self-help and in an attempt to overreach the final outcome of the Motion for Stay and Interlocutory Injunction as well as the substantive suit.
“In the process, a police officer was shot dead while several other citizens were assaulted and sustained varying degrees of injuries, and even lawyers were attacked at the Secretariat of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Benin Branch.”
The Attorney General added: “In the light of the above, we urge you to embark on a thorough investigation of this matter by inviting Hon. Philip Shaibu and his associates, and, if found culpable, be brought to book, as no man is above the law.”