Abuja, Thursday – The Federal High Court in Abuja has extended a prior order that restrains the defendants in the ongoing legal case brought by Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu of Edo State. The defendants, including Governor Godwin Obaseki, Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, and the Chief Judge of Edo State, among others, are now prohibited from initiating impeachment proceedings against the Deputy Governor through the State House of Assembly.
During the recent court session, legal representatives for the second, third, fourth, and fifth defendants were present. Osaze Oluwole Uzzi Esq, the Attorney General of Edo State, appeared on behalf of the Chief Judge of Edo State and the fifth defendant.
While most defendants informed the court that their necessary legal processes had been submitted, the Department of State Services (DSS), representing the second defendant, stated that their response was pending. Notably, the first defendant, the Inspector General of Police, had not yet appeared.
Presiding Judge A.R Muhammed instructed all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, or the state of affairs prior to the conflict, and adjourned the proceedings to August 22, 2023, for a hearing. The judge directed the second defendant to file the required documents and ordered the court’s registrar to issue and serve a hearing notice to the first defendant.
The lawsuit, titled FHC/ABJ/CS/1027/2023: Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu v. Inspector General of Police & 4 others, was initiated by Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu. On August 3, 2023, Justice A.R Muhammed issued an order that restrained all parties from pursuing actions leading to the impeachment of the plaintiff in his capacity as Deputy Governor of Edo State.
The renewed restraining order marks a pivotal development in the legal battle and underlines the court’s ongoing efforts to address the dispute while ensuring stability in Edo State’s political landscape.