A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has nullified the impeachment of Philip Shaibu as the deputy governor of Edo State.
Presiding judge Justice James Omotosho, in a judgement on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, ordered Shaibu’s reinstatement to the office on the grounds that the Edo State House of Assembly failed to comply with due process in the purported impeachment of the deputy governor.
Justice Omotosho held that the allegation on which the House of Assembly based the impeachment proceedings was untenable in law and did not constitute gross misconduct.
The judge, therefore, ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to provide Shaibu with needed security to enable him to resume office and perform the functions of the office until the end of his tenure.
Justice Omotosho equally set aside the appointment of another deputy governor in place of Shaibu.
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Shaibu, who was in court, shed tears of joy upon hearing the judge’s pronouncements.
The Star recalls that Shaibu was impeached by the lawmakers on April 8, 2024.
His impeachment followed the adoption of the report of a seven-man committee set up to investigate allegations of misconduct against him.
Speaking at the plenary, the Majority Leader of the House, Charity Aiguobarueghian, said the report of the seven-man panel presented to the lawmakers found Shaibu culpable of disclosing government secrets.
Shaibu had, after the gubernatorial primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said the party would not win the governorship election in the state if he was not recognised as the candidate of the party.
He said this after losing to the former Chairman of Sterling Bank Plc, Asue Ighodalo.
Shaibu recently declared support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Monday Okpebholo, ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.
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