The Federal High Court in Abuja declined to halt the impeachment proceedings initiated by the Edo State House of Assembly against Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu. Justice James Omotosho rejected an oral application by Shaibu’s lawyer, Prof. Olawoyin Awoyale (SAN), to maintain the status quo in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/321/2024.

In his ruling, Justice Omotosho noted that the Governor of Edo State and the Edo State House of Assembly, key parties in the matter, had not been served with the Originating Summons of the suit as required by law. Consequently, he granted Shaibu’s request to serve the court papers on Governor Obaseki and the state House of Assembly through substituted means.

The court ordered that the process be pasted at the entrance gate of the Edo State Government House and the gate of the state House of Assembly Complex in Benin. Additionally, all court papers were directed to be served on the parties involved using a registered courier company. Further proceedings were adjourned until April 15.

The Edo State House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against Shaibu on March 5, 2024, based on allegations of leaking government secrets. Subsequently, the Assembly wrote to the Chief Judge of the state to form a seven-man panel to investigate the allegations against Shaibu.

In an attempt to halt the impeachment, Shaibu filed the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/321/2024 before Justice Omotoso, seeking an order restraining the defendants from proceeding with his impeachment. However, the judge declined to grant temporary relief for the second time on Wednesday.

Earlier, on March 13, Justice Omotosho rejected Shaibu’s ex parte application seeking an interim order to halt the proceedings until the final determination of the suit. The judge adjourned the hearing to Wednesday for consideration of another motion ex parte brought by Shaibu seeking substituted service on the defendants due to his inability to serve them personally.

The impeachment move is seen as the latest development in the ongoing conflict between Shaibu and Governor Godwin Obaseki. Tensions between the deputy governor and his principal escalated since last year when Shaibu announced his intention to contest in the Edo governorship race.

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