You are currently viewing “It is a victory for Edo people”, Shaibu reacts as Appeal Court confirms his reinstatement as Deputy Governor
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The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Tuesday, affirmed the July 17 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja that nullified the impeachment of Philip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State and reinstated him to office.

The appellate court affirmed Justice James Omotosho’s verdict that voided Shaibu’s impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly for lack of a fair hearing.

The Court of Appeal, while affirming Justice Omotosho’s order for Shaibu’s return to office, also set aside the appointment of Omobayo Godwins as the new Deputy Governor, replacing Shaibu.

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The state Assembly had on April 8, 2024, impeached Shaibu, following the adoption of the report of a seven-man committee set up by the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, which found Shaibu guilty of perjury and leaking of the state government’s secret.

Displeased with his removal, Shaibu approached Justice Omotosho, who nullified his impeachment and ordered his reinstatement. However, the House of Assembly rejected Justice Omotosho’s verdict and headed to the Court of Appeal.

The appellate court, in a judgment on Tuesday, however, ruled in Shaibu’s favour.

Reacting to the judgment, Shaibu described it as a victory for democracy while expressing his gratitude to God, the people of Edo State and Nigerians.

He said, “Everywhere I go, people tell me they are praying for me. So the prayers of Nigerians have been answered by the dismissal of the appeal filed by the state House of Assembly and by the grace of God, I am going to win all the cases against me

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“I am the one that is being oppressed and intimidated by anti-democratic forces. This judgment is a victory for democracy and the judiciary because the judiciary has become the hope of the oppressed, the common man.

“By the grace of God, that arm of government will continue to flourish. The victory is for the Edo people. I am so excited.

“This is the main case because the Edo State House of Assembly purportedly impeached me. The appeal has been dismissed and I am happy about it.”

Shaibu’s new party, the All Progressives Congress, also expressed joy over the judgment, saying the judicial victory was a testament to the alleged insensitivity of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Peter Uwadiae-igbinigie, the party said, “The APC, Edo State chapter heartily congratulate the Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, on his victory in respect of the baseless, unmeritorious appeal filed by the PDP-led government and the toothless and ineffectual House of Assembly of Edo State over the resounding judgment of the Federal High Court.

“This victory is a testament to the insensitivity of Governor Godwin Obaseki to due process and absolute disregard for the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which he swore to uphold.

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“The APC Edo state chapter is proud that today, the Deputy Governor of the state has found it worthy to trace his political fame back to the party, which has helped to galvanise and reposition him as an icon of modern democracy in Nigeria.”

Efforts to get a member of the House of Assembly to comment on the judgment yielded no result but a top government official said the state would study the judgment and decide on the next line of action.

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