Shaibu remains impeached, Obaseki insists

PUNCH

The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has stated that the embattled Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, remains impeached.

Obaseki made this statement on Friday in reaction to a comment credited to Shaibu, warning Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to guard against attempts by political appointees to loot government properties.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, Obaseki told Edo workers to disregard what he described as “infantile ramblings,” asserting that Shaibu remains impeached until the court’s determination and therefore lacks the power and authority to issue directives or warnings to any staff employed by the Edo State Government.

Recall that in July, the Federal High Court in Abuja voided the impeachment of Philip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State.

Justice James Omotosho, while delivering judgment in the suit, ordered that Shaibu be reinstated to office because the Edo State House of Assembly failed to comply with due process in impeaching him.

On Tuesday, September 24, Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed two separate motions filed by the Edo State Government and the State House of Assembly against the reinstatement of Philip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of the State.

The court also awarded a total cost of ₦400,000 against the Edo State Government and the State Assembly.