Court orders reinstatement of Philip Shaibu as Edo Deputy Gov
A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, cancelled the impeachment of Philip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State.
Recall that the Edo State House of Assembly removed Shaibu some months back after he fell out with Governor Godwin Obaseki over his quest to succeed him as Governor.
Justice James Omotosho said the impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly was illegal and unconstitutional.
The judge held that the impeachment was in gross violation of the Constitution.
Aside from restoring Shaibu, the court also ordered that his salaries and allowances should be paid to him from April when he was impeached as the deputy governor of the state.
Meanwhile, the Edo State House of Assembly has appealed the judgement of the High Court and has filed a motion for a stay of execution pending appeal.
Wednesday’s verdict came about three months after the lawmakers impeached the embattled 54-year-old as the state’s deputy governor.
In a move that was seen as the culmination of the long-drawn battle between him and Governor Godwin Obaseki, the lawmakers, after investigations said they found Shaibu guilty of disclosure of government secrets.
The seven-man panel set up by the Edo State Assembly therefore recommended his impeachment on that ground.
Shaibu was elected alongside Obaseki in 2016 and the duo got reelected in 2020.
Proofreading, editing by Gift Luckson and Jane Aiso, Editor and Journalist at Neptune Prime.
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