A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a temporary order to halt Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki’s attempt to impeach his Deputy, Comrade Phillip Shuaib, due to their irreconcilable differences.
Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed granted the temporary order while ruling on a motion filed by Shuaib, who sought to prevent his removal from office. The court directed the parties involved to maintain the “Status Quo Ante Bellum.”
This order, issued on Friday, will remain in effect until the defendants present their case, as directed in a previous ruling on July 27th, 2023.
By maintaining the “status quo ante bellum,” the parties are to stay in their respective positions as they were before Shuaib filed the suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/1027/2023 against the defendants.
The defendants in the suit include the Inspector General of Police (IGP), State Security Service (SSS), Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki, Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, and the Chief Judge of Edo State.
During the proceedings, the Speaker and Chief Judge were represented by their counsel, who opposed Shuaib’s request but were overruled by the court.
Justice Mohammed postponed further hearing on the matter until August 10 and ordered that the IGP, SSS, and Obaseki, who were absent in court, be served with hearing notices.
Shuaib’s originating summons raised several issues for the court to determine, including whether Governor Obaseki has the power to instigate the IGP and SSS to harass and prevent him from carrying out his constitutional duties. He also questioned whether the Governor can initiate impeachment proceedings against him without valid grounds as specified in the constitution.
Shuaib sought the court’s declaration that the IGP, SSS, and Obaseki lack the power to harass or intimidate him. He also requested an injunction restraining these parties from obstructing him in carrying out his duties.
Furthermore, he asked for an injunction to stop Obaseki, the Speaker, and Chief Judge from proceeding with the impeachment plan and from setting up a panel of inquiry for that purpose.
The case will continue on August 10.
Reacting to this, Chief Dr. Patrick Osagie Eholor otherwise known as Ultimate Equal, the father of Nigerian Students-FONS and the Global President of One Love Foundation, he said in his statement with our correspondence on phone call that:
"This is a show of shame, we have better issues we would have been dealing with especially with bad roads that are reported at Ekehuan Road, Ihama, Uselu-Ugbowo road, the Sapele road which the governor's convoy stucked into recently and some other roads that are impassable when it rains and yet Godwin Obaseki is shamefully planning a plot to impeach his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, the deputy governor went to Abuja court to seek justice which was denied, this clearly shows that Godwin Obaseki is a serial betrayal he can never be in any good side of history when it comes to good governance and those praising him 4 + 4 tor GBA, he has nail 90% of them so they still have some few 10% who are still supporting him."
"The offense of Philip Shaibu is not out of boundaries, to settle with Adams Oshiomole who is more like a father to him is not an offence, I reconciled with Comrade Philip Shaibu very recently, some persons was saying I did it for money but unfortunately, Philip Shaibu does not have any money to give me, I am contented with what I have as contentment is wealth."
"It is also going to be very disgraceful because His Royal Majesty is being dragged into this, Philip Shaibu did not take permission from Godwin Obaseki before he signed the letter for the Oba of Benin and that is one of the major reason Godwin Obaseki is punishing him, and if it is true then it is very shameful our ancestors will not be happy with Godwin Obaseki."
"Again I am waiting for the soldiers and defenders of Godwin Obaseki to come out and drag me as usual."