Abuja, Thursday – The Federal High Court in Abuja has extended a previous order preventing the Defendants from pursuing impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu of Edo State. The order was renewed in a suit brought by Deputy Governor Shaibu against Governor Godwin Obaseki, Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, Chief Judge of Edo State, and others.

During the latest hearing, legal representatives for the second, third, fourth, and fifth defendants were present in court. The Attorney General of Edo State, Osaze Oluwole Uzzi Esq, appeared on behalf of the Chief Judge of Edo State and the fifth defendant. However, the Department of State Services (DSS), representing the second defendant, informed the court that they were yet to file their process to show cause.

The court was informed that the processes for the other defendants had been filed, with the exception of the first defendant, the Inspector General of Police, who had not yet entered appearance.

The presiding Judge ordered all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, preserving the existing state of affairs. The case was adjourned to August 22, 2023, for a further hearing. The Judge directed the second defendant to file the necessary process, and the court’s registrar was instructed to issue and serve a hearing notice on the first defendant.

The Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, initiated the legal action in the suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1027/2023 against the Inspector General of Police and four others. On August 3, 2023, Justice A.R Muhammed of the Federal High Court granted an order restraining the parties from taking any steps towards impeaching the plaintiff in his capacity as Deputy Governor of Edo State.

This legal development marks another chapter in the ongoing legal battle between Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu and the defendants, as the court seeks to ensure the fair and just resolution of the matter.