The Edo State House of Assembly has filed an appeal against Justice J. K. Omotosho’s decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which overturned the impeachment of Philip Shaibu, the state’s former deputy governor.
The Edo State Assembly has also requested a stay of execution on the ongoing appeal.
On Wednesday, Justice Omotosho overturned Shuaibu’s impeachment as deputy governor of the state.
While delivering judgement in the suit, Omotosho ordered Shaibu’s reinstatement to office because the state House of Assembly failed to follow due process in impeaching him.
He also postponed the appointment of the new Edo State deputy governor, who succeeded Shaibu.
Shaibu clashed with Governor Godwin Obaseki about his ambition to succeed his employer.
Despite Obaseki’s preferred candidate, Asue Ighodalo, Shaibu, and nine others ran against Ighodalo, who eventually won the ticket.
Following that, on Monday, April 8, 2024, the Edo State House of Assembly impeached Shaibu after adopting the findings of the seven-man investigating team established by the State Chief Judge to investigate charges of wrongdoing against the former deputy governor.
The EDHA’s investigative panel, led by Justice S.A. Omonua (retd.), investigated Shaibu on claims of lying and leaking government secrets, concluding with the former deputy governor’s refusal to appear before it.
Shaibu was impeached by a vote of 18 of the 19 Assembly members present in session, with one abstaining from the headcount and voting process.
Recall that following Shaibu’s impeachment, the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, appointed Marvellous Omobayo as his deputy to complete his second term in office, which expires on November 11, 2024.
