The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday upheld the reinstatement of Philip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State, dismissing an appeal brought by the Edo State House of Assembly seeking to uphold his impeachment.
Shaibu was impeached on April 8, 2024, after the Edo State House of Assembly adopted the report of a seven-man committee appointed by the state Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to investigate allegations of misconduct. While the panel did not substantiate the charge of perjury against Shaibu, it found him guilty of disclosing government secrets.
However, on July 17, 2024, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja voided the impeachment and ordered Shaibu’s immediate reinstatement, declaring that the grounds for impeachment were legally insufficient and constituted gross misconduct. The court also ordered the Inspector-General of Police to provide security for Shaibu to resume his duties and warned that anyone other than Shaibu claiming the position of deputy governor would face legal consequences.
The appellate court’s ruling also nullified the appointment of Omobayo Godwin as the new deputy governor, reinforcing Shaibu’s position until the end of his tenure.
