Impeachment: Edo Deputy Governor Gets 10-Day Lifeline

The deputy governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu has won a ten-day lifeline against impeachment upon an order of the court that extended an order granting a status quo to all parties in a suit filed he filed in court. This came after the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja renewed its earlier order of a status quo, restraining Governor Obaseki, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, and the Chief Judge of Edo State- from taking any step in relation to the alleged impeachment of Shaibu supposedly instigated by the governor.

Besides, the court renewed its order on the police and the Department of State Services, DSS from taking any action to impede the liberty of the plaintiff. The Attorney General of Edo State, Oluwole Uzzi, Esq who was present in person, announced appearance for the Chief Judge of Edo State, the fifth defendant.

In the suit instituted by Shaibu with reference number, FHC/ABJ/ CS/1027/2023, the Inspector-General of Police, Department of State Services, Edo State governor; Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly and the Chief Judge, Edo State, are the first to fifth defendants respectively. It would be recalled that the court had on August 3, 2023 granted an interim injunction upon the prayers of Shaibu to restrain the above defendants from instigating or facilitating his impeachment or arrest. Following the injunction, the court had deferred further proceedings to Thursday.

However, when the case was called, counsel for the DSS that the secret police was yet to file its process while the Inspector General of Police was yet to show an appearance in the suit. Upon the observations, the court adjourned further consideration on the case to August 22, 2023 with an order on all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum on the alleged impeachment of Shaibu.