Shaibu’s Return Will Disrupt Government Operations – Edo Govt Tells Court

The Edo State government has requested Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja to stay the execution of the judgment that reinstated Philip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of the state.

This appeal was made on Thursday, with the state arguing that Shaibu’s return would disrupt the smooth functioning of the government.

The state’s lawyer, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), filed the application, stating that the reinstatement should be halted until the appeal against the judgment is resolved.

The state contends that Shaibu’s return is problematic due to his recent declaration of support for the rival political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In its application, the state argued that financial compensation could be provided to Shaibu if the appeal upholds his reinstatement, asserting, “Monetary damages would be an adequate compensation to the first respondent (Shaibu) should it turn out that this application ought not to have been granted.”

The Edo State House of Assembly has filed a similar application through its lawyer, Ken Mozia (SAN), seeking to stay the execution of the judgment delivered on July 7, which reinstated Shaibu.

Justice Omotosho has scheduled the hearing for the two applications on September 24.

Shaibu was impeached on April 8, 2024, following the report of a seven-member investigative panel set up by the Edo State Chief Judge, Daniel Okungbowa, and led by retired justice S. A. Omonuwa.

The impeachment was based on allegations of misconduct, perjury, and the disclosure of government secrets. Shaibu challenged the impeachment in court, leading to Justice Omotosho’s July 7 judgment, which voided the impeachment and ordered Shaibu’s reinstatement, citing non-compliance with due process and untenable allegations.

The applicants, dissatisfied with the judgment, filed an appeal on July 18, raising serious and arguable grounds, particularly questioning the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

In their motion on notice, the applicants sought two orders: to stay the execution of the judgment pending the determination of the appeal and to restrain the respondents from implementing the July 17 judgment during the appeal process.

The Edo State government and the House of Assembly argue that their rights to appeal would be stifled without the stay, emphasizing the need to prevent Shaibu from parading himself or attending official functions as deputy governor until the appeal is resolved.