The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled April 19 for the hearing of a suit filed by the impeached Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, against the state House of Assembly and others.
Despite not being listed on the cause list, a team of lawyers appeared before Justice Inyang Ekwo seeking a date for the case.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/405/24, was filed by Shaibu against various respondents, including the Inspector-General of Police and the State Security Service.
Shaibu, represented by O.A. Gbadamosi, SAN, sought declarations that the impeachment proceedings against him violated his fundamental right to a fair hearing. He also challenged the composition of the investigation panel appointed to look into the allegations against him.
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Shaibu argued that he had not been served with any notice of misconduct or abuse of office before the impeachment proceedings began.
He alleged bias on the part of the panel chairman, a retired judicial officer, and accused the panel of being politically motivated.
The retired Justice Omonuwa-led panel found Shaibu guilty of perjury and leaking government secrets, leading to his impeachment by the state House of Assembly.
The panel’s sitting concluded on April 5, with Shaibu or his counsel failing to appear.
The court’s decision to fix April 19 for the hearing indicates the importance of Shaibu’s case and suggests that the court will thoroughly consider his claims regarding the impeachment proceedings.
