The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has affirmed the judgment of the federal high court, which reinstated Philip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State.
Delivering judgment on Tuesday in the appeal brought before it by the Edo State House of Assembly, the appellate court dismissed the appeal, seeking to uphold Shaibu’s impeachment.
The three-member panel of justices of the appellate court held in a unanimous judgment that Shaibu remains the Deputy Governor of the State.
It will be recalled that Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on July 17, 2024, voided the impeachment of Shaibu and ordered his immediate reinstatement.
The judge held that the allegation on which the State Assembly based the impeachment proceedings was untenable in law and constituted gross misconduct.
Justice Omotosho ordered the Inspector-General of Police to provide Shaibu with needed security to enable him to resume office and perform the functions of the office until the end of his tenure.
He, however, warned that any individual, aside from Shaibu, parading himself as deputy governor would face legal consequences and also set aside the appointment of Omobayo Godwin as the deputy governor.
Reacting to the development, Shaibu urged Governor Godwin Obaseki to obey the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, rather than proceed to the Supreme Court.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebomhiana Musa, he noted that peace was needed to move Edo forward.
“It is another victory for democracy and the rule of law. We hope Obaseki will obey this latest judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja.
“Obaseki has no respect for court judgments and judicial pronouncements. He is law unto himself.
“By this judgment, we expect Obaseki to swallow his pride, invite Shaibu for meaningful discussions, and move on from there, in the interest of the good people of Edo State.”
The Edo State House of Assembly on April 8, 2024 impeached Shaibu following the adoption of the report of a seven-man committee set up by the state Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to investigate allegations of misconduct against him.
The Majority Leader of the House, Charity Aiguobarueghian, had said that while the report of the panel was unable to establish the case of perjury brought against Shaibu, the panel found him guilty of disclosure of government secrets.
