August 10, (THEWILL) – The Federal High Court, Abuja, has further restrained Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki, from initiating any alleged impeachment process against his deputy, Philip Shaibu, pending the determination a pending suit.
Presiding justice of the Court, Ramat Mohammed, also restrained the Inspector General of Police, Department of State Security (DSS), from arresting, detaining or harassing Shaibu.
Shaibu had filed a motion on notice and motion ex parte, praying the court to stop the commencement of an alleged impeachment process against him.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/1027/2023, the Inspector-General of Police, DSS, Edo State governor; Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly and the Chief Judge, Edo State, are the first to fifth defendants respectively.
Ruling on the motion on notice last Friday, Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed had directed the parties in the suit to maintain “Status quo ante bellum”.
He also ordered the defendants to show cause why the interim orders sought by the plaintiff should not be granted.
At the resumed proceeding on Thursday, the counsel to the plaintiff, George Ibrahim, told the court that the third to fifth defendants have shown cause and served them their counter affidavits, except the DSS, who rather filed a counter affidavit to the originating summon.
Ibrahim also said he had yet to receive the same from the IG.
Counsel to the DSS, I. Awo, contended that the DSS ought not to have been a party to the case. He, however, sought the leave of the court to do the needful.
THEWILL, however, observed that the IGP, Olukayode Egbetokun, did not have a legal representation at the hearing on Thursday.
In its ruling, the Court, however, ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the conclusion of the matter. He gave the second defendant two working days to show cause.
Justice Ramat Mohammed has adjourned till August 22, 2023, for hearing.
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