Court Adjourns Edo Deputy Governor Contempt Case To November 4

A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the hearing of an alleged contempt case involving the reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, against Godwins Omobayo to November 4, 2024.

The case centers on Omobayo’s alleged refusal to comply with a court judgment that reinstated Shaibu as Deputy Governor.

Justice James Omotosho postponed the hearing after granting Shaibu’s motion ex parte for a substituted service of Form 49 on Omobayo, the second defendant in the case.

During the proceedings, Shaibu’s lawyer, Ini-obong Ebiekpi, informed the court that while Omobayo had been served with Form 48, they had encountered difficulties serving him with Form 49. The court subsequently approved the motion for substituted service.

The contempt proceedings arise from a previous court decision on July 17, where Justice Omotosho voided the impeachment of Shaibu by the Edo State House of Assembly, citing a lack of due process.

The court had ordered Shaibu’s reinstatement, challenging the legitimacy of Omobayo’s appointment as Deputy Governor by Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Justice Omotosho had emphasized the importance of allowing Omobayo the opportunity to purge himself of the contempt charges, mandating that all relevant documents, including Form 49 filed on September 19, be served to him.

The case’s adjournment is notably close to the end of the current state government’s tenure on November 12, adding a layer of urgency to the resolution of this legal battle.

In a previous ruling, the court also struck out separate motions by the Edo government and the House of Assembly challenging Shaibu’s reinstatement and fined them a total of N400,000.