Omobayo Marvellous Godwins.

By Jethro Ibileke

The Edo Government has insisted Engr. Omobayo Marvellous Godwin remains the State deputy governor, in spite of the judgement of a Federal High Court in Abuja that set aside the impeachment of former deputy governor, Philip Shaibu.

Recall that Justice Omotoso of the Abuja Federal High Court in his judgement on Wednesday held that the removal of Shaibu from office as Deputy Governor of Edo State and the subsequent appointment of Omobayo Godwins as his replacement by the Governor of Edo State was illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.

He further held that there was a breach of the provisions of the procedure laid out in Section 188(1) to (9) in the way and manner the impeachment process was conducted, noting that the ouster clause in Section 188(10) limiting the jurisdiction is not a stand-alone provision.

The Court who referred to the decision of the Nigerian Supreme Court in Inakoju v. Adeleke (2007). therefore ordered the 1st Defendant, the Inspector General of Police to immediately restore the security of the Plaintiff as Deputy Governor of Edo State.

But, the State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, in a statement on Wednesday, disclosed that the state government has filed a stay of  execution of the judgement.

The statement reads:

“Following the Federal High Court, Abuja judgement that faulted the impeachment of the erstwhile deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, the Edo State Government has filed a stay of execution of the judgement.

“Pending the hearing of the appeal of the judgement, the incumbent Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Omobayo Marvellous Godwins remains and continues to serve as the valid deputy Governor of Edo State.

“He will continue to serve in this capacity and would be recognized as such,” Nehikhare added.

The statement called on the people of Edo to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses.

Edo Assembly kicks, as Abuja court reinstates Philip Shaibu as deputy governor

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had set aside the impeachment of the former deputy governor of Edo state, Philip Shaibu.

The Assembly, had on Monday, 8 April, 2024, impeached Philip Shaibu following the adoption of the report of a seven-man investigative panel set up by the State Chief Judge to probe allegations of misconduct against the former deputy governor.

The investigative panel headed by Justice S.A. Omonua (retd.), probed Shaibu on allegations of perjury and leaking of government secrets.

The former deputy governor who refused to appear before panel, was later impeached by the vote of 18 out of 19 members of the Assembly present at plenary, while one abstained from the headcount and voting process.

The State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, later picked Marvellous Godwins Omobayo as his deputy to complete his second tenure in office, which lapses on 11 November, 2024.

Meanwhile, the State House of Assembly has filed a stay of execution on the judgement pending appeal.