“Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu has filed a N50 billion defamation and contempt of court suit against Governor Obaseki and key officials, alleging assassination attempts and legal violations following his reinstatement.”
Edo State’s reinstated Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has announced a N50 billion defamation and contempt of court lawsuit against the state government, Commissioner for Communication and Orientation Chris Nehikhare, and Crusoe Osagie, Special Adviser on Media Projects. This revelation was made while addressing newsmen after his reinstatement by the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Philip Shaibu emphasized that the court’s judgement, which reinstated him, is declarative and must be upheld. He stated that the judgement permanently restrains the state government and its agents from preventing him from fulfilling his duties as the deputy governor of Edo State.
“The judgement also clarified that the position of deputy governor, as per the relevant sections of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, was never vacant,” Shaibu explained.
Expressing his frustration, Philip Shaibusaid, “I am not surprised that Nehikhare and Osagie were insisting that I remain impeached. They insisted so because they don’t read and study the court judgement before sending out their responses, which is their mode of operation. The judgement reinstating me was declarative and has to be carried out before an appeal over the matter could be heard, while the stay of judgement execution filed by the state cannot see the light of the day until the judgement is executed. I have already instituted a N50 billion suit against the governor, Nehikhare, and Osagie for defamation. They will be served next week.”
Adding another layer to the conflict, Shaibu accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of orchestrating an assassination attempt against him. He alleged that the recent gun attack, which resulted in the death of Inspector Akor Onuh at the exit of Benin Airport, was a planned effort by the governor.
“I was taken aback by the attack. In the last year, I have refused to call for a protest to avoid confrontation with the state government and their agents. I can tell you that Thursday’s attack was planned by the state governor to assassinate me. The governor vowed to destroy me when I remained resolute to vie for the position of governor. They said I was the one who planned the attack but I came in peacefully from Abuja to the state capital. Why were the armed thugs laying ambush for me? Were they expecting a visitor?” he questioned.
This unfolding legal drama has drawn significant attention within Edo State and beyond, highlighting deepening political rifts and raising serious questions about governance and the rule of law in the region. As the legal proceedings advance, the implications of Shaibu’s allegations and the court’s decisions could have profound effects on the political landscape of Edo State.
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