News
High Court Denies Halting Edo Deputy Gov’s Impeachment Process
- Federal High Court in Abuja denies halting impeachment proceedings against Edo State Deputy Governor.
- Justice James Omotosho rejects oral application to maintain status quo by Deputy Governor’s lawyer.
- Court notes non-service of Originating Summons to Governor and State House of Assembly as required by law.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that on Wednesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja rejected an oral plea to halt the impeachment process initiated by the Edo State House of Assembly against Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu.
Justice James Omotosho declined a request by Shaibu’s lawyer, Prof. Olawoyin Awoyale (SAN), for the court to order maintaining the status quo in the suit labeled FHC/ABJ/CS/321/2024.
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The judge cited that the Governor of Edo State and the Edo State House of Assembly, pivotal figures in the case, had not been served with the Originating Summons as required by law.
He subsequently granted Shaibu’s prayer to serve the court papers on Obaseki and the state House of Assembly by substituted means.
Justice Omotoso ordered that the court 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.
The Judge also directed that all court papers be served on parties in the matter with the use of a registered courier company.
Justice Omotoso adjourned further proceedings till April 15.
The Edo State House of Assembly had on March 5, 2024, commenced impeachment proceedings against Shaibu over allegations of leaking of government’s secrets.
On Tuesday, the Assembly wrote to the Chief Judge of the state to constitute a seven-man panel to probe the allegations against Shaibu.
To stop the impeachment Shaibu filed the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/321/2024 before Justice Omotoso.
Edo Deputy Gov’s Impeachment
He is praying for an order restraining the defendants from proceeding with his impeachment.
However, for the second time on Wednesday, the judge refused to grant Shaibu a temporary relief to halt the impeachment move.
The judge had earlier in a ruling on March 13 turned down Shaibu’s ex parte application seeking an interim order to halt the proceedings pending the final determination of the suit.
“The motion ex parte for interim injunction dated and filed 8th day of March 2024 is hereby refused,” the judge held.
He adjourned till Wednesday for hearing in another motion ex parte brought by Shaibu seeking substituted service on the defendants due to his inability to serve them.
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The impeachment move is believed to be the latest development in the rift between Shaibu and his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki. There had been an uneasy calm between the deputy governor and his principal since last year when Shaibu declared his interest to join this year’s Edo governorship race.
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