By Ogochukwu Isioma in Abuja
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday morning, reinstated Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State, following his earlier impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly.
The Court presided over by Hon. Justice James Omotosho held that the removal of the Plaintiff, Shaibu from office as Deputy Governor of Edo State and the subsequent appointment of Omobayo Godwins as his replacement by the Governor of Edo State was illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.
The Court held that there was a breach of the provisions of the procedure laid out in Section 188(1) to (9) in the way and manner the impeachment process was conducted. The court noted that the ouster clause in Section 188(10) limiting the jurisdiction is not a stand alone provision.
The Court referred to the decision of the Nigerian Supreme Court in Inakoju v. Adeleke(2007).
Justice Omotosho held that the impeachment was politically motivated, because of Shaibu’s aspiration to contest the office of Governor of Edo State.
The Court, therefore, ordered the 1st Defendant, the Inspector General of Police to immediately restore the security of the Plaintiff, Shaibu as Deputy Governor of Edo State.
As at the time of filing this report, supporters of Shaibu were seen within the court premises, Abuja celebrating the court verdict.
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