The Edo State government, on Monday, accused Philip Shaibu of illegally parading himself as the deputy governor of the state by allegedly sending official correspondences.
The state governor said since the judgment reinstating Shaibu as deputy governor, was still being challenged in court, his alleged actions were illegal.
But in a swift reaction, the opposition All Progressives Congress in Edo State, which is Shaibu’s current party, defended him, rubbishing the claim by the state government.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on July 17 reinstated Shaibu as the deputy governor of Edo State, three months after the Edo House of Assembly impeached him.
The judge, James Omotosho, declared that Shaibu’s impeachment by the state Assembly was illegal
Omotosho ordered the inspector general of police to restore Mr Shaibu’s security details. He directed that his salaries and allowances be paid since April, when he was removed from office.
The Edo Assembly has appealed the judgment and filed a stay of its execution pending the determination of the appeal.
However, Shaibu, in an interview after his reinstatement, said the judgment that reinstated him was declarative and had to be carried out before an appeal could be entertained in the case.
In a press statement on Monday, the state’s Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare said, “It has come to the attention of the Edo State Government that the former Deputy Governor, Comr. Philip Shaibu, has been carrying out correspondence with different institutions and organisations both within and outside the State in a clear case of impersonation.
“In the interest of the safety of these organisations, we want to restate that Shaibu is not the Deputy Governor of Edo State and every correspondence from him in that regard should be disregarded and considered a forgery.
“The issue of his purported reinstatement is still active in court and the next hearing for the two separate motions filed by the State Government and the Edo House of Assembly challenging the purported reinstatement by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court is fixed for 24 September, 2024.
“The State through the Attorney General of Edo State and the Edo House of Assembly by their lawyers, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, and Ken Mozia, SAN, respectively, had in the motions sought an order for a stay of the execution of the purported reinstatement and an order suspending the judgment and restraining Shaibu from parading himself or attending any official function as deputy governor pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.
“Therefore, the status quo is that His Excellency, Omobayo Marvelous Godwins, remains the deputy governor of Edo State and any correspondence carried out by any other person, including Philip Shaibu is an act of impersonation, and anyone who deals with him does so at his or her own risk.
“Security agencies are, by this notice, alerted to the potential breach of peace and are urged to hold Philip Shaibu responsible for any security breach in the state arising from his ignoble actions,” the statement added.
Efforts to get Shaibu’s reactions were unsuccessful as he did not pick up the calls placed to his mobile line by our correspondent.
Defending Shaibu, however, the Publicity Secretary of the Edo APC, Peter Uwadiae, said, “It is the court that reinstated Shaibu. Every other thing they are saying doesn’t hold water. Marvellous Omobayo is the one who is impersonating.
“The court verdict on the issue is very clear. The court reinstated the man and said there was no vacuum. It also said that all that he is entitled to from the first day the illegal impeachment took place should be paid and he should be allowed back to office.
“They can also not be talking about impersonation as the court has not overturned the judgment. It is still subsisting as of today. That you filed a notice of appeal or a stay of execution of judgment does not, in any way, stop the decision of the court from subsisting. Until that decision of the court is overturned by a higher court, Shaibu remains the deputy governor.”