Attempt by the Edo state government to force the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu out of office met a brick wall on Friday as a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja issued a temporary order stopping the move .
Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed issued the temporary order while ruling in a motion on notice filed by Shuaib praying the court to stop the action by the governor to push him out of office .
Ruling on the motion argued by Moses Ebute SAN Justice Mohammed directed the parties in the suit to maintain the situation as it were- “Status Quo Ante Bellum”.
The status quo ante bellum is to be in force until the time the defendants shall 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 Governor, Godwin Obaseki, Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly and the Chief Judge, Edo State as 1st to 5th respectfully.
At Friday’s proceedings, the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly was represented by his counsel, Okotie Eboh while the Chief Judge was represented by Francis Ogbe both who opposed granting of Shuaib’s request but lost in the Court’s ruling.
Justice Mohammed after the ruling shifted 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.
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 harass, intimidate, molest and prevent him from accessing his office to carry out his Constitutionally guaranteed duties.
The Deputy Governor 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.
He further prayed the Court to decide whether in view of the provisions of section 193 of the 1999 Constitution, Obaseki can deliberately refuse to carry him along or informing him of the State Executive Council (SEC) Meeting or any other meetings or functions within and outside Edo without violating the express provision of the law.
Shuaibu asked the court to declare that the IGP, SSS and Obaseki lacked power to intimidate, harass, embarrass or molest him.
He also sought Court’s declaration that Obaseki, Speaker and the Chief Judge lacked power to impeach him on any ground other than gross misconduct and that the Speaker and the Chief Judge at the same time, lacked requisite power to set up a 7-Man panel of Inquiry on the same ground.
Shuaib requested among others,order of injunction restraining IGP, SSS and Obaseki and their agents and privies from harassing, embarrassing,, intimidating and preventing them from stopping him to carry out his legitimate functions.
The embattled Deputy Governor further prayed for an order of injunction restraining Obaseki, Speaker and Chief Judge from taking any action, plan or step on the impeachment plan and another order specifically stopping the Chief Judge from taking instructions from Obaseki and the Speaker to set up any panel of Inquiry for the purpose of impeaching him.
