Impeached Edo State deputy governor Philip Shaibu returned to his office Monday.
In a broadcast to citizens of Edo State he said he was back on his seat based on the ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which faulted the processes of his impeachment. He called on governor Godwin Obaseki to immediately restore his staff.
There was heavy security presence leading to the government house Monday, the entrance to the deputy governor’s on Dennis Osadebe road was blocked and traffic was restricted in the area.
“Today, I am issuing a clear directive to all staff in the deputy governor’s office, who have not yet reported for work to resume forthwith. Failure to comply will result in appropriate sanctions.
“In line with the judgment, the office of the deputy governor was never vacant. In this regard, all transactions that would have been done in my absence, remain illegal, null and void, and of no effect whatsoever.
“I want to make it known that any bank conducting business with the office of the deputy governor of Edo state without my explicit approval does so at its own risk.”
But according to a statement made available by Communication and Orientation Commissioner, Chris Nehikhare, Dr. Shaibu is an impostor.
“It has come to the attention of the Edo State Government that the former Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu has been carrying out correspondence with different institutions and organisations both within and outside the State in a clear case of impersonation.
“In the interest of the safety of these organizations, we want to restate that Shaibu is not the Deputy Governor of Edo State. And every correspondence from him in that regard should be disregarded and considered a forgery.
“The issue of his purported reinstatement is still active in court and the next hearing for the two separate motions filed by the State Government and the Edo House of Assembly challenging the purported reinstatement by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court is fixed for 24 September 2024.
“The State through the Attorney-General of Edo State and the Edo House of Assembly by their lawyers, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN) and Ken Mozia (SAN), respectively, had in the motions sought an order for a stay of the execution of the purported reinstatement and an order suspending the judgment and restraining Shaibu from parading himself or attending any official function as deputy governor pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.
“Therefore, the status quo is that His Excellency, Omobayo Marvelous Godwins, remains the deputy governor of Edo State and any correspondence carried out by any other person, including Philip Shaibu is an act of impersonation, and anyone who deals with him does so at his or her own risk.”
