A Federal High Court in Abuja has declined to halt the impeachment proceedings against Edo State Deputy Governor, Phillip Shaibu, initiated by the state House of Assembly.
The impeachment move, which began on March 5, 2024, accused the deputy governor of divulging government secrets.
Shaibu, in an ex-parte motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/321/2024, sought an order restraining the state House of Assembly, the Speaker, and the Clerk from commencing any impeachment process pending the hearing of a motion on notice.
However, Justice James Omotosho, in his ruling on March 13, rejected the application.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, Shaibu, represented by his lawyer, Prof. Olawoyin Awoyale (SAN), requested an order of status quo to be maintained by all parties until the hearing and determination of his motion on notice.
Yet, Justice Omotosho declined the request, stating that the governor of Edo State and the Edo State House of Assembly, the principal actors, had not been served with the originating summons as required by law.
He said, “The governor of Edo State and the Edo State House of Assembly who are the principal actors in the matter have not been served with the originating summons of the suit as required by law.”
However, the judge granted the deputy governor’s application to serve the court process on the Edo State Governor and the state House of Assembly through substituted means.
He ordered that the court papers be pasted at the entrance of the Edo State Government House and the gate of the state House of Assembly Complex in Benin.
Additionally, Justice Omotosho directed that all court documents be served on the parties involved using a registered courier company.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter till April 15 for a hearing, allowing time for proper service of the court processes on the concerned parties.