A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled October 24 for the hearing of a contempt charge filed by Philip Shaibu, the reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, against Marvellous Godwins Omobayo. The charge accuses Omobayo of failing to comply with a court judgment, despite having assumed the role of deputy governor.
Justice James Omotosho set the date following a request from Shaibu’s counsel, Reuben Egwuaba, who informed the court about the contempt application seeking to commit Omobayo to prison for disobeying the court’s order. Omotosho also directed that all relevant court documents, including Form 49 filed on September 19, be served to Omobayo, allowing him to respond to the charge.
“The matter is adjourned to October 24 for hearing of the motion on notice dated September 13 and filed on September 19, seeking the committal of Engr. Marvellous Godwins Omobayo. He is to be served so he can defend himself,” the judge stated.
Egwuaba had earlier requested an expedited hearing, noting that the current administration’s tenure ends on November 12. He emphasized that the court’s judgment, delivered on July 17, had been duly served on Omobayo, and multiple letters were sent to the House of Assembly, but no action was taken.
On the same day, the court also dismissed two motions filed by the Edo State Government and the House of Assembly, which challenged Shaibu’s reinstatement. Justice Omotosho ordered both entities to pay a total of N400,000 in costs, N200,000 each.
The motions were withdrawn by representatives of the state Attorney-General, Marvin Omorogbe, and the House of Assembly, Sonia Egbunia, who explained that they chose to withdraw following the transmission of appeal records to the Court of Appeal. While Shaibu’s lawyer did not oppose the withdrawal, he requested a cost of N50 million each. The judge, however, settled on N400,000.
Earlier, on July 17, Justice Omotosho ruled that Shaibu’s impeachment by the House of Assembly was invalid, citing a failure to follow due process. The court ordered Shaibu’s reinstatement, ruling that the allegations made against him did not meet the legal standard for gross misconduct.
Shaibu had sued several parties, including the Inspector-General of Police, the Deputy Governor of Edo, the Attorney-General, the Chief Judge of Edo, the Speaker, and the Edo State House of Assembly in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/478/2024.
Omobayo was, on April 8, sworn in as the new deputy governor after Shaibu’s impeachment by the state’s House of Assembly
(Vanguard)
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