By Raymond Ebireri
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has affirmed Hon Philip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State.
Recall that Hon Philip Shaibu was impeached by the State House of Assembly in April in what was perceived to be an orchestrated political move. However, the impeached Deputy Governor sought redress in court, claiming that his impeachment was unconstitutional and illegal.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court reinstated Hon Philip Shaibu to office as the Deputy Governor. In his judgment delivered today, 17th July 2024, Justice Omotosho declared Hon Shaibu’s impeachment as illegal, unconstitutional, null, and void. He also held that the purported impeachment contravened the provisions of Sections 188 and 35 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
The court also ordered that all his withheld salaries, allowances, and benefits from 8th April, at the time of his illegal impeachment, be paid to him until the expiration of his tenure.
An order of injunction was issued by the court restraining Governor Godwin Obaseki and the State House of Assembly from preventing Shaibu from carrying out his office functions.
All his security details are to be restored to him by the Inspector General of Police.