This morning the Federal High Court(FHC) Abuja hearing the case brought by the Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, renewed its earlier order restraining the Defendants in the suit, which include the Governor, Speaker and Chief Judge of Edo State from taking any step in relation to the planned impeachment of the Plaintiff, who is the Deputy Governor of Edo State.
Present in court were the lawyers for the second, third fourth and fifth defendants. The Attorney General of Edo State, Oluwole Uzzi Esq who was present in person, announced appearance for the Chief Judge of Edo State, the fifth defendant.
When the case was called, counsel for the second defendant, the DSS, informed the court that they were yet to file their process to show cause.
While counsel for the other defendants present had already filed their processes, with the exception of the first defendant, the Inspector General of Police(IGP), who from today’s proceedings was yet to enter appearance.
In the circumstances, the court adjourned the matter to Tuesday, 22nd of August 2023, for hearing, directing the 2nd defendant to file the necessary process and for the registrar of court to issue and serve hearing notice on the first defendant.
The Judge ordered that parties should continue to maintain the status quo ante bellum.
Recall that in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1027/2023 between Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu v. Inspector General of Police & 4 others, Justice A.R Muhammed of the Federal High Court on the 3rd of August 2023 gave an order restraining the parties from taking steps towards impeaching the plaintiff in his capacity as Deputy Governor of Edo State.
