Reprieve for Shuaibu as court orders Obaseki, DSS, others to maintain status quo
By Emma Ogbuehi
Reprieve came the way of the embattled Edo state deputy governor, Philip Shuaibu as a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has again restrained the governor, Godwin Obaseki from initiating any alleged impeachment process against him, pending the determination of the matter.
Also, the Inspector General of Police, State Security Service was restrained from arresting, detaining, or harassing the deputy governor
Shaibu had filed a motion on notice and motion ex parte praying to the court to stop the commencement of an alleged impeachment process against him.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/1027/2023, the Inspector-General of Police, Department of State Services, Edo State governor; Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly and the Chief Judge, Edo State, are the first to fifth defendants respectively.
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Ruling on the motion on notice last Friday, Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed had directed the parties in the suit to maintain “Status quo ante bellum”.
He also ordered the defendants to show cause why the interim orders sought by the plaintiff should not be granted.
According to the Punch, at the resumed proceeding on Thursday, the counsel to the plaintiff, George Ibrahim told the court that the third, fourth, and fifth defendants have shown cause and served them their counter affidavits.
He added that the DSS did not show cause, rather it filled a counter affidavit to the originating summon. Ibrahim also said he had yet to receive the same from the IG.
Responding, the counsel for the second defendant, I. Awo contended that the DSS ought not to have been a party to the case. He, however, sought the leave of the court to do the needful.
The IG, Olukayode Egbetokun did not have a legal representation at the hearing on Thursday.
Ruling, the presiding judge ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the conclusion of the matter.
He gave the second defendant two working days to show cause.
The judge, however, adjourned till August 22 for a hearing.
In the past two months, all have not been well in the state house, Benin City between Obaseki and Shaibu. The bad blood between the duo started when Shaibu was seen in a viral video with Senator Adams Oshiomhole during the inauguration of the National Assembly in Abuja.
Sources further alleged that a few days after the Abuja viral video, the governor summoned all Edo State House of Assembly PDP members to his house, excluding his deputy, which was extremely unusual. The deputy, who was briefed about the meeting, drove directly to the governor’s house but was rebuffed by the DSS personnel who told him he was not on their list of invitees.