Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Edo State, has stated that the embattled Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, remains impeached.
Obaseki made this statement on Friday in reaction to a comment credited to Shaibu, warning Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to guard against attempts by political appointees to loot government properties.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, Obaseki told Edo workers to disregard what he described as “infantile ramblings,” asserting that Shaibu remains impeached until the court’s determination and therefore lacks the power and authority to issue directives or warnings to any staff employed by the Edo State Government.
Recall that in July, the Federal High Court in Abuja voided the impeachment of Philip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State.
Justice James Omotosho, while delivering judgment in the suit, ordered that Shaibu be reinstated to office because the Edo State House of Assembly failed to comply with due process in impeaching him.
On Tuesday, September 24, Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed two separate motions filed by the Edo State Government and the State House of Assembly against the reinstatement of Philip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of the State.
The court also awarded a total cost of ₦400,000 against the Edo State Government and the State Assembly.
In response to Shaibu’s status as deputy governor, Obaseki insisted in the statement on Friday that, “Our attention has been drawn to the very ridiculous statement purportedly signed by the impeached deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, in which he warned Permanent Secretaries and Heads of MDAs to guard against the looting of government properties by political appointees.
“We want to restate that Philip Shaibu remains impeached as the Deputy Governor of Edo State until the court’s determination and therefore lacks the power and authority to issue directives or warnings to Permanent Secretaries, Heads of MDAs, or any staff employed by the Edo State Government.
“We urge all Edo workers to disregard the infantile ramblings of the impeached deputy governor and continue with their lawful duties without fear of intimidation or harassment while ensuring the delivery of quality and effective service to the people of Edo State.”
