The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled April 19 for the hearing of a suit brought forward by Philip Shaibu, the impeached Deputy Governor of Edo State, against the state House of Assembly and other relevant parties.
The matter, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, was slated for hearing after a legal team, including Alex Ejesieme, SAN, appeared in court seeking a hearing date for the case.
Although the suit, identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/405/24, was not initially listed on the cause list, the defence lawyers attended the proceedings. They explained to Justice Ekwo that the case was initially set for Thursday but due to a public holiday, the court was not in session.
Justice Ekwo, while acknowledging their presence, directed them to coordinate with the court registrar for the next adjourned date. Consequently, the hearing was rescheduled for April 19.
In the lawsuit dated March 26 and filed on March 27, Shaibu named the Inspector-General of Police and the State Security Service as the first and second respondents. He also included other individuals and entities, such as retired Hon. Justice S.A. Omonua, the Chairman of the Panel of Seven, among others.
Shaibu, represented by O.A. Gbadamosi, SAN, sought various declarations and orders from the court, including a declaration of the illegality of the impeachment proceedings against him and a directive for the respondents to refrain from further violating his right to a fair hearing.
The former deputy governor argued that he had never been properly served with any notice of allegations or impeachment proceedings and alleged bias in the composition of the investigation panel.
The lawsuit follows Shaibu’s impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly on allegations of perjury and leaking government secrets, findings concluded by the seven-man panel led by retired Justice Omonua.
In a separate development, the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) stated that it would consider
Philip Shaibu’s application should he apply to join the party. Senator Ajibola Basiru, APC’s National Secretary, emphasised the party’s policy of free entry and exit, asserting confidence in winning upcoming gubernatorial elections in both Ondo and Edo states.
Basiru assured that any perceived conflicts within the party were being effectively managed, expressing determination towards electoral success in the mentioned states.
