BENIN CITY, NIGERIA – The Edo State House of Assembly has appealed the judgment by Justice J. K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which overturned the impeachment of former Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu. The Assembly has also filed for a stay of execution pending the outcome of the appeal.
Earlier today, Justice Omotosho ruled in favor of Shaibu, declaring his impeachment invalid due to the Assembly’s failure to adhere to due process. The court ordered Shaibu’s reinstatement and nullified the appointment of his replacement.
The impeachment saga stems from a political fallout between Shaibu and Governor Godwin Obaseki over Shaibu’s ambition to succeed the governor. Despite Obaseki’s endorsement of Asue Ighodalo, Shaibu and nine others contested the primary, which Ighodalo eventually won.
On April 8, 2024, the Edo State House of Assembly impeached Shaibu after adopting the report of a seven-man investigative panel. The panel, led by retired Justice S.A. Omonua, investigated allegations of perjury and leaking government secrets. Shaibu did not appear before the panel, and his impeachment was supported by 18 of the 19 Assembly members present, with one abstention.
Following Shaibu’s impeachment, Governor Obaseki appointed Marvellous Omobayo as the new deputy governor to serve the remainder of his second term, set to end on November 11, 2024.
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