The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday dismissed a NJ50 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Philip Shaibu, the former deputy governor of Edo State, against ex-Governor Godwin Obaseki and four others.
Justice Peter Lifu dismissed the case after Shaibu’s legal representative, Anita Oteh, informed the court that all parties involved had reached an amicable settlement, prompting her application to withdraw the suit.
While the lawyer representing the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Aliyu Abdulkadir, stated he was unaware of any settlement, he did not oppose the withdrawal but instead requested the court to dismiss the suit outright.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu agreed, stating that since issues had already been joined, the proper procedure was to dismiss the case in its entirety.
“In view of the fact that issues have been joined in this matter, this suit is hereby dismissed in its entirety,” he ruled.
Shaibu, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/914/2024, filed on July 19, 2024, had named Obaseki, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), the AGF, and the Attorney-General of Edo State as defendants.
In his filings, Shaibu sought N50 billion in damages for alleged violations of his fundamental rights, and N100 million as the cost of filing the suit.
He also asked the court for an injunction to restrain the defendants from further arresting, detaining, or violating his rights without court approval.
He claimed he was unlawfully removed from office before the expiration of his tenure, allegedly at the instigation of Obaseki and with the involvement of the IGP.
He also alleged that following his removal, his security detail was withdrawn, and the Edo government issued a notice seeking to recover 22 official vehicles in his possession.
Notably, no legal representatives appeared in court for the first, second, third, and fifth defendants on Monday.
This comes after Justice James Omotosho, of a different court within the Federal High Court, reinstated Shaibu as Edo State Deputy Governor on July 17, 2024, ruling that his earlier impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly was illegal.
