A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered Godwins Omobayo, the embattled deputy governor of Edo State, to appear in person before it on November 26 over his alleged disobedience to court judgment.
Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling, held that the order was to give Omobayo, the alleged contemnor, a fair hearing and the opportunity to defend himself in line with Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo, Philip Shaibu, had filed the contempt charge for Omobayo to be committed to prison over his alleged refusal to vacate the deputy governorship position after a valid court judgment.
Justice Omotosho had, on July 17, voided the impeachment of Shaibu as the deputy governor of Edo by the House of Assembly.
The judge, in the judgment, ordered his reinstatement to office on the grounds that the Edo House of Assembly failed to comply with due process in the purported impeachment.
The judge also held that the allegation on which the assembly based the impeachment proceedings was untenable in law and did not constitute a gross misconduct.
The judgment was on the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/478/2024 with Shuaibu as the plaintiff.
The reinstated deputy governor had sued the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Deputy Governor of Edo, the AG Chief Judge of Edo, Speaker of Edo House of Assembly and the Edo State House of Assembly as 1st to 6th defendants.
Omobayo was, on April 8, sworn in as the deputy governor after Shaibu’s impeachment by the House of Assembly.
NAN reports that the judge had, on October 24, fixed today for the hearing of the matter.
Justice Omotosho rescheduled the date after the court granted Shaibu’s motion ex-parte seeking for an order for a substituted service of Form 49 on Omobayo.
