While delivering judgment in the appeal brought before it by the legislature, the appeal court dismissed it as lacking in merit.
By Ife Osemedua
365Daily – The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has affirmed the judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja which reinstated Philip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State.
While delivering judgment in the appeal brought before it by the legislature, the appellate court dismissed it as lacking in merit.
The Edo State House of Assembly had appealed the judgment of the lower court, seeking that its impeachment of Shaibu be upheld.
Shaibu was impeached on April 8, 2024, based on allegations of disclosure of government secrets.
In July, Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja voided the impeachment and ordered his immediate reinstatement because the allegation on which the House of Assembly based the impeachment proceedings was untenable in law and constituted gross misconduct.
He also ordered the Inspector-General of Police to provide the reinstated Deputy Governor with needed security to enable him to resume office and perform the functions of the office until the end of his tenure.
The court also nullified Governor Godwin Obaseki’sappointment of Omobayo Godwin as Shaibu’s replacement, and warned that any other individual other than Shaibu parading themselves as deputy governor would face legal consequences.