The bid by Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, to halt his impeachment faced a setback on Wednesday as the Federal High Court in Abuja declined to intervene in the impeachment proceedings initiated against him by the state House of Assembly.
The State Assembly commenced impeachment proceedings against Shaibu on March 5, 2024, citing allegations of leaking government secrets.
In response, Shaibu filed an ex-parte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/321/2024, seeking an order of the court restricting the state House of Assembly, the Speaker, and the Clerk from commencing any process by holding proceedings or setting up any panel of investigation for his removal, pending the hearing of a motion on notice.
However, Justice James Omotosho, ruling on the motion, refused to grant the application.
Shaibu’s lawyer, Prof Olawoyin Awoyale (SAN), had requested an order of status quo to be maintained by parties until the motion on notice was heard.
But the judge declined the request, citing the failure to serve the Edo State Governor and the State House of Assembly with the originating summons.
“The governor of Edo State and the Edo State House of Assembly, who are the principal actors in the matter, have not been served with the originating summons of the suit as required by law,” the judge said.
Although Shaibu’s request to serve the process on the Governor and the Assembly through substituted means was granted, the judge ordered the court process to be posted at the entrance of the Edo State Government House and the gate of the State House of Assembly Complex in Benin.
The case has been adjourned until April 15 for a hearing, signaling ongoing legal battles in the face of the impeachment proceedings against the Edo Deputy Governor.
