Edo Assembly appeals judgment reinstating Shaibu as deputy gov

The Edo State House of Assembly has appealed the judgement by Justice J. K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which set aside the impeachment of the state’s ex-deputy governor, Philip Shaibu.

The State Assembly has also filed a stay of execution on the judgment pending appeal.

Earlier today, Justice Omotosho voided Shuaibu’s impeachment as the deputy governor of the state.

Omotosho, while delivering judgment in the suit, ordered that Shaibu be reinstated to office because the state House of Assembly failed to comply with due process in impeaching him.

He also set aside the appointment of the new deputy governor who replaced Shaibu.

Shaibu fell out with Governor Godwin Obaseki over his ambition to succeed his boss. Despite Obaseki having his preferred candidate, Asue Ighodalo, Shaibu and nine others contested against Ighodalo, who eventually picked the ticket.

After that, the Edo State House of Assembly, had on Monday, April 8, 2024, impeached Shaibu following the adoption of the report of the seven-man investigative panel set up by the State Chief Judge to probe allegations of misconduct against the former deputy governor.

The investigative panel set up the EDHA was headed by Justice S.A. Omonua (retd.) and probed Shaibu on allegations of perjury and leaking of government secrets, ending its sittings with the former deputy governor refusing to appear before it.

Shaibu was impeached by the vote of 18 out of 19 members of the Assembly present at plenary, while one abstained from the headcount and voting process.

Recall that the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, had upon the impeachment of Shaibu picked Marvellous Omobayo as his deputy to complete his second tenure in office, which ends on November 11, 2024.