Edo govt, Assembly appeal Shaibu’s reinstatement as deputy gov

Godwins remain my deputy – Obaseki The Edo State government and the House of Assembly have appealed the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which set aside the impeachment of the state’s former deputy governor, Philip Shaibu. It was gathered that they have also filed for a stay of execution on the judgement pending […]

• Godwins remain my deputy – Obaseki

The Edo State government and the House of Assembly have appealed the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which set aside the impeachment of the state’s former deputy governor, Philip Shaibu.

It was gathered that they have also filed for a stay of execution on the judgement pending appeal.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday nullified the impeachment of Shaibu as deputy governor of the state.

Justice James Omotosho, in his judgment, held that the process adopted by the state assembly in the impeachment was illegal and in gross violation of the constitution.

Justice Omotosho also set aside the appointment of the new deputy governor, Omobayo Godwins, who replaced Shaibu.

Aside from restoring Shaibu, the court also ordered that his salaries and allowances should be paid to him from April.

The court also ordered the Inspector General of Police to provide him with the security needed to enable him to resume office and perform the functions of the office until the end of his tenure.

But reliable sources in the state assembly, who craved anonymity, said the House had appealed against the judgment.

Meanwhile, the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, has also said that Omobayo Godwins remains the deputy governor of the state.

Obaseki, in a statement by the Commissioner for Orientation and Communication, said, “Pending the hearing of the appeal of the judgement, the incumbent deputy governor, His Excellency, Omobayo Marvellous Godwins, remains and continues to serve as the valid Deputy Governor of Edo State.”

It could be recalled that after the fallout between Obaseki and Shaibu, the Edo State House of Assembly impeached Shaibu on April 8.