Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court in Abuja has voided the impeachment of Phillip Shuaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State.
In a judgment delivered today Wednesday, July 17, the judge ordered his reinstatement to the office on the grounds that the Edo State House of Assembly failed to comply with due process to impeach Shuaibu.
Shuaibu, who was in court, shed tears of joy upon hearing the judge’s pronouncements.
Justice Omotosho held that the allegation on which the House of Assembly based the impeachment proceedings was untenable in law and did not constitute gross misconduct.
The judge ordered the IGP to provide him with needed security to enable him to resume office and perform the functions of the office until the end of his tenure.
Justice Omotosho set aside the appointment of another Deputy Governor in the place of Shuaibu.
The Edo House of Assembly in April 2024 impeached Shaibu on grounds of perjury and disclosure of the state government’s secrets.
Twenty-one of the 24 lawmakers signed a petition to that effect.
Shaibu had been in a running battle with his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, after he signified interest to contest the run for governor of the state after Obaseki’s tenure ends in September 2024.