By Abimbola Ogunnaike
A Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Omotosho on Wednesday, 20 March, 2024, declined to stop the impeachment move against the Edo State Deputy Governor, Phillip Shaibu, by the state House of Assembly.
Recall that the House of Assembly had on March 5, 2024, commenced impeachment proceedings against Shaibu over allegations of leaking of government’s secrets.
Shaibu filed an ex-parte motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/321/2024, seeking an order of the court restricting the state House of Assembly, the Speaker and the Clerk from commencing any process by holding proceedings or setting up any panel of investigation for his removal, pending the hearing of a motion on notice.
However, Justice James Omotosho, in his ruling on March 13, refused to grant the application.
During the proceedings on Wednesday, Shaibu, through his lawyer, Prof Olawoyin Awoyale, (SAN) requested for an order of status quo to be maintained by parties pending the hearing and determination of his motion on notice.
But Justice Omotosho declined the request, saying “The governor of Edo State and the Edo State House of Assembly who are the principal actors in the matter have not been served with the originating summons of the suit as required by law.”
The judge granted the application by the deputy governor seeking to serve the process on the Edo State Governor and the state House of Assembly by substituted means.
Justice Omotosho ordered that the court process be pasted at the entrance of the Edo State Government House and the gate of the state House of Assembly Complex in Benin.
The judge also directed that all court papers be served on parties in the matter with the use of a registered courier company.
He subsequently adjourned the matter till April 15 for a hearing.
