THE Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Tuesday, August 20, upheld the reinstatement of Mr. Philip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State.
Recall that on July 17, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, reinstated Shaibu while delivering judgement in a suit he filed, declaring that his impeachment by the state House of Assembly was in gross violation of Sections 188 and 35 of the 1999 Constitution; hence illegal and unconstitutional.
The Judge held that his removal from office was politically-motivated and consequently ordered his reinstatement and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to immediately restore the plaintiff’s security, while his salaries and allowances from April when he was impeached should be paid to him.
Shaibu was removed from office on April 8, following the adoption of the report of a seven-man committee, headed by Justice S. A. Omonuwa (rtd), set up by the state Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to investigate allegations of “misconduct, perjury and disclosure of government secrets” against him.
The Assembly challenged judgment, urging the appeal court to set it aside and uphold his impeachment.
But the higher court dismissed the appeal for lack of merit, saying the lower court was right to reinstate Shaibu.
Shaibu and Governor Godwin Obaseki, who were elected twice on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), respectively, fell out immediately Shaibu made known his intention to contest the September 12 governorship election.
Their disagreement culminated in the impeachment of Shaibu, who has now returned to the APC ahead of the election.
