Court halts Obaseki’s impeachment moves against deputy Shaibu

A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a temporary order stopping Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki from impeaching his deputy Phillip Shaibu over what he described as irreconcilable differences.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed made the temporary order while ruling on a motion on notice filed by Shaibu praying the court to stop plans by Obaseki to remove him from office.

Obaseki and Shaibu fell out after the latter was seen together with Obaseki’s political adversary Adams Oshiomhole during the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly.

In the motion which was argued by Moses Ebute, Justice Mohammed directed the parties in the suit to maintain “status quo ante bellum”.

By the order, parties are to remain in the positions they were before Shaibu’s suit was instituted against Obaseki.

The order for status quo to be maintained was released on Friday and it is to be in force until the defendants show cause as directed in another ruling of the court made on July 27.

Listed as defendants in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/1027/2023 are the Inspector- General of Police (IGP), Department of State Services (DSS) and Obaseki.

Others are Speaker of Edo House of Assembly and the Chief Judge of Edo as first to fifth defendants.

Justice Mohammed adjourned the matter until August 10 and ordered that the IG, DSS and Obaseki who were not represented in court be served with hearing notices.

Shaibu, in his originating simmons, had prayed the court to determine whether in view of the provisions of Sections 186 and 193 of the 1999 Constitution, Obaseki had power to intimidate and prevent him from accessing his office.

He also asked the court to ascertain whether the governor had “powers to instigate” the speaker and the chief judge to commence impeachment proceedings against him.

The deputy governor further asked the court to decide whether in view of the provisions of Section 193 of the 1999 Constitution, Obaseki could deliberately refuse to carry him along or inform him of the state executive council (SEC) meetings or any other meetings or functions.

At Friday’s proceedings, the speaker was represented by Okotie Eboh while the chief judge was represented by Francis Ogbe. They both opposed the granting of Shaibu’s request.