Again, Shaibu Loses Bid To Stop Impeachment.

Federal High Court in Abuja has again refused to stop the impeachment moves initiated against Edo State Deputy Governor, Phillip Shaibu, by the State House of Assembly.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, his request for an order of status quo to be maintained by the House of Assembly and others involved in the impeachment saga was turned down by Justice James Kolawole Omotoso.

Shaibu, through his lawyer, Professor Olawoyin Awoyale, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, had orally requested for an order of status quo to be maintained by parties pending the hearing and determination of his motion on notice.

In reaction, Justice Omotoso held that the cited authority was not applicable in Shaibu’s case because the Governor of Edo State and the Edo State House of Assembly, who are the principal actors in the impeachment bid, have not been served with the originating summons of the suit as required by law.

However, the judge granted the request that the Edo State Governor and the State House of Assembly be served with the originating summons by substituted means.

Specifically, 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, both in Benin.

Justice Omotoso subsequently fixed April 15 for hearing of the case.