The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu’s prayer to serve the court papers on Governor Godwin Obaseki and the state House of Assembly by substituted means.
Recap that the court had declined to halt the impeachment proceedings activated by the Edo State House of Assembly against the deputy governor.
Justice James Omotosho declined an oral application by Shaibu’s lawyer, Prof. Olawoyin Awoyale, (SAN), asking the court to order parties in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/321/2024, to maintain the status quo.
The judge noted that; “The Governor of Edo State and the Edo State House of Assembly, who are the principal actors in the matter, have not been served with the Originating Summons of the suit as required by law.’’
The judge subsequently granted Shaibu’s prayer to serve the court papers on Obaseki and the state House of Assembly by substituted means.
Justice Omotoso ordered that the court process be pasted at the entrance gate of the Edo State Government House and the gate of the state House of Assembly Complex in Benin.
The Judge also directed that all court papers be served on parties in the matter with the use of a registered courier company. Justice Omotoso adjourned further proceedings till April 15, 2024.
The Edo State House of Assembly had on March 5, 2024, commenced impeachment proceedings against Shaibu over allegations of leaking of government’s secrets.
The Assembly recently wrote to the Chief Judge of the state to constitute a seven-man panel to probe the allegations against Shaibu.
