The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to stop the impeachment move against the incumbent Deputy Governor of Edo state, Phillip Shaibu, by the State House of Assembly.
At Wednesdays proceeding, Shaibu’s counsel, Professor Olawoyin Awoyale, in an oral application requested for an order of the court for the Edo state House of Assembly and others involved in the impeachment process to maintain status quo pending the hearing and determination of his motion on notice.
Justice Kolawole Omotoso who presided over the suit held that both the Governor of Edo State and the Edo State House of Assembly who are the principal actors in the impeachment bid have not been served with the originating summons of the suit as required by law.
He therefore granted the request that the Edo State Governor and the State House of Assembly be served with the originating summons by substituted means .
The court also ordered that the process be pasted at the entrance gate of the Edo State Government House and the gate of the State House of Assembly Complex both in Benin and adjourned to April 15 .
The Deputy Governor, Phillip Shaibu was in court to observe the proceedings.
Shaibu, in the suit, sought an order of the court restricting the Edo State House of Assembly, the speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, the Clerk of the Assembly, the Chief Judge of Edo State, Inspector General of Police IGP and Director General of the Department of State Services DSS
from commencing any process pending the hearing of the motion on notice.
He also sought an interim injunction restraining the defendants, from interfering with the subject matter of the originating summons filed in the suit.
Editor: Ena Agbanoma
