A Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Appeal Court judgment has shed light on the circumstances surrounding the impeachment of Philip Shaibu, the ousted deputy governor of Edo State. The CTC, made available to journalists, shows that the Court granted the Edo State House of Assembly’s application to withdraw its interlocutory appeal after Shaibu was formally served with the Appeal Court notice.
Contrary to Shaibu’s claims that the Appeal Court had dismissed the appeal seeking to uphold his impeachment, the CTC reveals that the Court allowed the withdrawal of the appeal without objection. The judgment was delivered by Justices Hamma A. Barka, Usman A. Musale, and Okon E. Abang.
The CTC also confirms that the bailiff served the Inspector General of Police on August 15, 2024. The Edo State House of Assembly’s counsel, Olusegun Jolaawo, SAN, noted that they had filed a notice of withdrawal since they had another appeal pending that would address the situation.
The Appeal Court granted the application, stating that “There being no objection, Appellants’ application seeking the withdrawal of this appeal is granted… Appeal with No. CA/ABJ/CV/645/2024 is hereby dismissed.”
The Edo State House of Assembly had impeached Shaibu on April 8, 2024, following an investigative panel’s report that probed allegations of misconduct. However, Hon. Justice J. K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, later faulted the impeachment. The State Assembly appealed the judgment and filed a stay of execution pending appeal.”
