Justice James Omotosho, a Federal High Court Judge sitting in Abuja, has declared Mr. Philip Shuaibu’s removal from office as Edo State Deputy Governor null and void.
In his judgment, Omotosho directed that Shaibu be reinstated as deputy governor, citing the Edo State House of Assembly’s failure to follow proper procedures during his impeachment.
Additionally, the judge nullified the appointment of the new Deputy Governor who had replaced Shaibu, effectively restoring Shaibu to his former position.
The court held that there was a breach of the provisions of the procedure laid out in Sections 188(1) to (9) in the way and manner in which the impeachment process was conducted.
The judge noted that the ouster clause in Section 188(10) limiting the jurisdiction is not a stand-alone provision.
The court ruled that the impeachment was politically motivated because of his aspiration to run for governor of Edo State.
The court therefore ordered the 1st defendant, the Inspector General of Police, to immediately restore the security of the plaintiff as Deputy Governor of Edo State.
Consequently, the court ordered that his salaries and allowances should be paid to him with effect from April this year.
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