On Wednesday morning, the Federal High Court in Abuja reinstated Rt.
Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State, following his earlier impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly.
Presiding Judge, Hon. Justice James Omotosho, declared the removal of Shaibu and the subsequent appointment of Omobayo Godwins as his replacement by the Governor of Edo State as illegal, unconstitutional, null, and void.
The court found that the impeachment process violated the procedural requirements laid out in Section 188(1) to (9) of the Nigerian Constitution. Justice Omotosho emphasized that the ouster clause in Section 188(10), which limits jurisdiction, does not stand alone and must be considered within the broader constitutional framework.
Referring to the Nigerian Supreme Court decision in *Inakoju v. Adeleke* (2007), Justice Omotosho ruled that Shaibu's impeachment was politically motivated due to his gubernatorial aspirations.
The court ordered the 1st Defendant, the Inspector General of Police, to immediately restore Shaibu's security detail as Deputy Governor of Edo State.
As the ruling was delivered, Shaibu's supporters were seen celebrating the court's decision within the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
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