Edo Assembly Challenges Shaibu’s Reinstatement, Requests Stay Of Execution

Edo Assembly Challenges Shaibu’s Reinstatement, Requests Stay Of Execution

The Edo State House of Assembly, led by Blessing Agbebaku, has appealed the judgment by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja, which overturned the impeachment of ex-eputy governor, Philip Shaibu and reinstated him.

The Assembly has also filed for a stay of execution of the judgment pending the appeal’s outcome.

The 24-member Edo House of Assembly on April 8, 2024, 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, a former House of Representatives member.

Despite his refusal to appear before the panel, Shaibu 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, who was inaugurated the same day to help the governor complete his second term, ending on November 12, 2024.

Justice Omotosho, however, 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 (IGP), Dr Kayode Egbetokun, to provide 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.