The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has sought the protection of the court against his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki, to avoid an imminent impeachment and removal from office.
In a motion of notice brought before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja and made available to the media on Thursday, the appellant is seeking an order of interlocutory injunction stopping the respondents or their agents from harassing, intimidating, embarrassing or preventing the applicant from carrying out the functions of his office as Deputy Governor of Edo State including attending State Executive Council meetings and other functions pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The court papers listed the Inspector General of Police, State Security Service, the Governor of Edo State, Speaker Edo House of Assembly and the Chief Judge of Edo State as defendants.
In the sworn document, the deputy governor claimed that the governor had deliberately obstructed him from fulfilling his official duties as the deputy governor of Edo State, thereby impeding the smooth functioning of the state’s administration.
He further accused the governor of using security organs like the police and State Security Service to engage in a campaign of harassment, intimidation and embarrassment directed at him.
He said the action of the governor was deeply concerning and raised serious questions about the governance and rule of law in Edo State.
READ ALSO: Ministerial list: Tinubu replaces Maryam Shetty adds Keyamo
Shaibu alleged too that the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly and the Chief Judge of Edo State were acting in concert with Governor Obaseki to orchestrate his impeachment.
He said it was in view of the possible consequences of the allegation he made against the governor that he, as a matter of urgency, sought the court’s intervention to restrain Obaseki and any other individuals allegedly involved from taking any further actions against him.
Stressing the sincerity and seriousness of his claims, the deputy governor asserted that the statements were in good faith and with a firm belief in their truthfulness.
By invoking the Oaths Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, Shaibu is seeking to underscore the solemnity and legal significance of his affidavit before the court.
