By Kenny Folowosele, Abuja
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja yesterday affirmed the lower court’s judgement that reinstated Philip Shaibu as the deputy governor of Edo State.
While delivering judgement in the appeal brought before it by the Edo State House of Assembly, the appellate court dismissed the appeal seeking to uphold Shaibu’s impeachment.
Shaibu was impeached on April 8, 2024, following the adoption of the report of a seven-man committee set up by the Chief Judge of Edo State Justice Daniel Okungbowa to investigate allegations of misconduct against him.
The House Majority Leader, Charity Aiguobarueghian, said that while the panel’s report was unable to establish the case of perjury brought against Shaibu, the panel found him guilty of disclosing government secrets.
On July 17, Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja voided Shaibu’s impeachment as the Deputy Governor of Edo State and ordered his immediate reinstatement to office.
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 ordered the IGP to provide him with the necessary security to enable him to resume office and perform the office’s functions until the end of his tenure.
The court warned that any individual aside from Shaibu parading themselves as Deputy Governor would face legal consequences.
The court also set aside the appointment of Omobayo Godwin as the new Deputy Governor, replacing Shaibu.
*Shaibu, APC react to judgement
Meanwhile, Shaibu has expressed gratitude to God, the people of Edo State, and Nigerians and said the judgement is a victory for democracy and the judiciary.
He said, “I am grateful to God, the Edo people, and Nigerians for their prayers. Everywhere I go, people tell me they are praying for me.
“So, Nigerians’ prayers have been answered by dismissing the appeal filed by the state House of Assembly, and by the Grace of God, I will win all the cases against me.
“I am the one that is being oppressed and intimidated by anti-democratic forces. This judgement is victory for democracy and judiciary because the judiciary has become the hope of the oppressed, the commoner.
“By the Grace of God, that arm of government will continue to flourish. The victory is for the Edo people. I am so excited. This is the main case because the Edo State House of Assembly purportedly impeached me. The appeal has been dismissed and i am happy about it.”
Also, Shaibu’s new party, the All Progressives Congress in Edo State, expressed joy over the judgement, noting that the victory was a testament to Governor Godwin Obaseki’s insensitivity and absolute disregard for due process and the constitution.
A statement by the Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, read, “The APC, Edo State chapter heartily congratulate the Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu on his victory in respect of the baseless, unmeritorious appeal filed by the PDP led government and the toothless and ineffectual House of Assembly of Edo State over the resounding judgment of the Federal High Court.
“This victory is a testament to the insensitivity of Governor Godwin Obaseki to due process and absolute regard to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which he swore to uphold.”
As of the time this report was filed, the state House of Assembly that initiated the appeal had yet to issue a statement.
