On Tuesday, the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja upheld the judgement of the lower court that reinstated Philip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State.
News About Nigeria reports that the appellate court also dismissed the suit seeking to uphold Shaibu’s impeachment brought before it by the Edo State House of Assembly.
Recall that the embattled deputy governor was impeached on April 8, 2024, 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.
After the investigation by the panel, Shaibu was found guilty of disclosure of government secrets.
However, relief came for Shaibu after Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on July 17, 2024, voided his impeachment and ordered his immediate reinstatement as deputy governor.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho held that the allegation on which the House of Assembly based the impeachment proceedings was untenable in law and constituted gross misconduct.
He also ordered the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that Shaibu is furnished with enough security details for his resumption and until the end of his tenure as deputy governor of Edo State.
While annulling the appointment of Godwins Omobayo as the Edo Deputy Governor, the court warned that any individual, aside from Shaibu, parading themselves as deputy governor would face legal consequences.
Delivering judgement today, the appellate court upheld the decision of Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court, noting that Shaibu remains the deputy governor of the state.
