The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an ex-parte motion filed by Edo State’s Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, seeking to halt the impeachment process initiated by the state House of Assembly.
In the motion labeled: FHC/ABJ/CS/321/2024, the state government, governor, state House of Assembly, House Speaker, Clerk, Chief Judge, Inspector General of Police, and Director General of the Department of State Services were named as the first to eighth defendants.
Shaibu’s suit requested the court to prevent the third to fifth defendants from starting any procedures such as issuing an allegation notice, conducting proceedings, or forming an investigative panel for his removal until the motion on notice is heard.
He also sought an interim injunction to prevent the defendants, or their agents, from interfering with the subject matter of the originating summons in the case, including any actions aimed at his removal as the deputy governor.
Among other reliefs sought were, “An order to prevent the defendants from hindering the plaintiff from performing his official duties as the Deputy Governor of Edo State, such as attending State Executive Council meetings/functions and other responsibilities.”
In a ruling dated March 13, seen by our correspondent on Tuesday, the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, denied the deputy governor’s requests.
The ruling stated, “That the motion expartee for interim injunction dated and filed 8th day of March 2024 is hereby refused.”
