Court upholds reinstatement of Philip Shaibu as Edo Deputy Governor

The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, has reaffirmed the reinstatement of Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State.

This decision came after the court dismissed an application for a stay of execution filed by the Edo State government, led by Governor Godwin Obaseki, and the state House of Assembly.

Justice Omotosho, expressing dissatisfaction with the appellants’ application, refused to grant the request, noting that he had already delivered a judgment reinstating Shaibu. The court imposed a fine of ₦200,000 each against the appellants.

In his earlier ruling in July 2024, the court declared Shaibu’s impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly unconstitutional, illegal, null, and void. Justice Omotosho cited violations of Sections 188 and 35 of the 1999 Constitution in the impeachment process.

As part of the judgment, the court ordered that Shaibu’s salaries and allowances from April, when he was impeached, be paid, and issued a perpetual injunction preventing Governor Obaseki and the Assembly from hindering Shaibu from performing his duties.

Additionally, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) was directed to restore Shaibu’s security details, a directive that has since been complied with.