Court Directs Phillip Shaibu’s Inclusion Alongside Speaker In Legal Battle Against Edo Impeachment

Court Directs Phillip Shaibu’s Inclusion Alongside Speaker In Legal Battle Against Edo Impeachment

Federal High Court Judge Justice James Kolawole Omotoso, sitting in Abuja, has authorized the inclusion of the impeached Deputy Governor of Edo State, Phillip Shaibu, as a party in the lawsuit challenging his impeachment, allowing him to join the Speaker of the state assembly. Furthermore, the Judge has granted permission for the former Deputy Governor to include his successor as a defendant in the ongoing legal proceedings.

In a ruling delivered on Wednesday regarding a motion on notice filed by Shaibu, Justice Omotoso concurred with the arguments presented by Shaibu’s counsel, Ayotunde Ogunleye SAN, asserting the necessity for both the Speaker and the new Deputy Governor to be involved in the suit. The Judge emphasized that according to Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution, the Speaker holds a significant role in the impeachment process and therefore must be included in the legal proceedings to ensure the validity of any court orders issued.

Justice Omotoso dismissed objections raised by the Speaker and the Deputy Governor against the motion on notice, deeming them frivolous and lacking in merit. Subsequently, in accordance with Order 17 Rule 1 of the Federal High Court, the Judge ordered the inclusion of the Speaker and the Deputy Governor as parties in the suit.

Additionally, the court granted permission to the former Deputy Governor to amend his originating summons to reflect the names of the Speaker and the Deputy Governor as the 9th and 10th defendants in the case.

The substantive hearing of the suit has been scheduled for June 3, following an order for accelerated hearing issued by the Judge

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