Controversy has erupted following conflicting reports about the Court of Appeal’s recent decision on the impeachment of Philip Shaibu, the Deputy Governor of Edo State. Initial reports suggested that the Court of Appeal had upheld the Federal High Court’s ruling, which had quashed Shaibu’s impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly.
According to these reports, the appellate court affirmed Justice James Omotosho’s decision, which declared Shaibu’s impeachment invalid due to lack of fair hearing and ordered his reinstatement. The court also reportedly annulled the appointment of Omobayo Godwins as the new Deputy Governor.
However, Hon. Charity Aiguobarueghian, Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, has dismissed these reports as false and misleading.
Despite this, Shaibu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) celebrated the alleged ruling, with Shaibu expressing gratitude and calling it a victory for democracy and the judiciary. The APC also welcomed the judgment, criticizing Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration for perceived insensitivity to due process and constitutional principles.
Peter Uwadiae-igbinigie, state publicity secretary of the APC, praised the ruling as a testament to the APC’s role in supporting Shaibu and upholding democratic values.
Aiguobarueghian, however, provided clarification on the legal proceedings. She explained that Shaibu had initially filed a suit to stop his impeachment, which was ongoing before Justice Egwuatu. Despite this, he was impeached, and the new deputy governor sought to strike out the case. Shaibu later requested that the case be converted and his name be changed in the court documents. Justice Omotosho subsequently ruled in Shaibu’s favor in a separate suit filed under his own name.
The Edo State House of Assembly and the Attorney General of Edo State have appealed this judgment. Aiguobarueghian stated that the appeals were processed on Tuesday, and the substantive suit’s decision is still pending, with Shaibu required to respond within five days.
Thus, the final ruling on the impeachment case remains unresolved.
News Editor