The Edo State Government announced on Monday that Philip Shaibu is falsely presenting himself as the deputy governor and should cease doing so.
On July 17, a Federal High Court in Abuja reinstated Shaibu as the deputy governor of Edo State, three months after the Edo House of Assembly had impeached him.
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Judge James Omotosho ruled that Shaibu’s impeachment by the state assembly was unlawful. The judge ordered the Inspector General of Police to restore Shaibu’s security details and directed that his salaries and allowances be paid retroactively from April, when he was removed from office.
The Edo Assembly has since appealed the judgment and requested a stay of its execution pending the outcome of the appeal.
Following his reinstatement, Shaibu asserted in an interview that the court’s judgment was declarative and must be enforced before any appeal could be considered.
However, in a statement, Commissioner for Communication and Orientation Chris Nehikhare stated, “The Edo State Government has become aware that former Deputy Governor, Comr. Philip Shaibu, has been engaging with various institutions and organizations within and outside the State, which constitutes clear impersonation.”
“For the safety of these organizations, we emphasize that Shaibu is not the Deputy Governor of Edo State, and any communication from him claiming to be such should be disregarded and treated as fraudulent.”
Nehikhare further noted that the issue of Shaibu’s reinstatement is still before the court, with the next hearing scheduled for September 24, 2024, on motions filed by the State Government and the Edo House of Assembly challenging the reinstatement ordered by Justice James Omotosho.
The State, represented by the Attorney General of Edo State and the Edo House of Assembly’s lawyers, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, and Ken Mozia, SAN, has requested a stay of execution on the reinstatement, as well as an order preventing Shaibu from acting as deputy governor pending the resolution of the appeal.
As it stands, Omobayo Marvelous Godwins remains the legitimate deputy governor of Edo State. Any official communication or actions by Philip Shaibu in that capacity should be considered impersonation, and those engaging with him do so at their own risk.
Security agencies have been alerted to the potential for a breach of peace and are urged to hold Philip Shaibu accountable for any related security incidents in the State.
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