Shaibu planning to invade government house on Monday, Edo alleges

The Edo government says Philip Shaibu, reinstated deputy governor of the state, is planning to invade its government house on Monday.

The Edo government said Shaibu is planning to invade the government house despite the fact that it has filed a stay of execution against his reinstatement.

In July, James Omotosho, presiding judge of the federal high court in Abuja, nullified the removal of Shaibu as deputy governor.

The judge held that Shaibu’s impeachment by the state house of assembly was illegal and “politically motivated”.

But the Edo government filed for a stay of execution.

In a statement on Saturday, Crusoe Osagie, special adviser to Godwin Obaseki, outgoing governor of Edo, said Shaibu should refrain from his “devious plot” because as it is “a clear recipe for chaos”.

“We want to draw the attention of the Inspector General of Police to the intelligence we have gathered regarding a planned move by the erstwhile Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu to forcefully enter the Edo State Government House to purportedly enforce the ruling of Justice J. K. Omotosho,” Osagie said.

“The stay of execution is still pending at the court of appeal and we appeal to the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the state does not descend to anarchy because of the ambition of one man.

“The last time Shaibu attempted to do this, it led to the death of a police officer.

“We believe that is one death too many and it is only wise for us to prevent a repeat of such.

“All actions relating to the enforcement and/or execution of the judgment of Honourable Justice J. K. Omotosho in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/478/2024 be stayed pending the hearing and determination of the motion for stay of execution/Injunction Pending Appeal so as not to foist a situation of helplessness on the court of appeal and render the order nugatory in the case that the application is granted.”

Osagie asked the court to grant the state’s government’s appeal to “ensure nothing to cause a breach of the peace or break down of law and order in Benin City and Edo State”.