A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a temporary order stopping Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki from impeaching his Deputy, Phillip Shaibu.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed issued the temporary order while ruling in a motion on notice filed by Shaibu, asking the court to stop his principal’s move to ease him out of office
Ruling on the motion, Justice Mohammed directed the parties in the suit to maintain Status Quo pending when the defendants show cause as directed in another ruling of the Court made on July 27th, 2023.
The defendants are the Inspector General of Police (IGP), State Security Service (SSS), Edo state Governor, Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly and the Chief Judge of Edo State
Justice Mohammed after the ruling, adjourned hearing in the matter till August 10 and ordered that the IGP, SSS and Obaseki, who were not represented in court, be served with hearing notices.
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Shaibu, in his originating simmons prayed the Court to determine whether in view of the provisions of sections 186 and 193 of the 1999 Constitution, Governor Obaseki has power to instigate the IGP and SSS to prevent him from accessing his office to carry out his constitutionally guaranteed duties.
He also asked the court to ascertain whether the Governor has power to instigate the Speaker and the Chief Judge to commence impeachment proceedings against him with a view to remove him from office on any other ground other than allegations of misconduct as contained in section 188 of the 1999 Constitution.
(Editor: Oloyede Oworu)
