A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Godwins Omobayo, the embattled deputy governor of Edo, to appear in person before it on November 26 over his alleged disobedience to court judgment.
Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling, Tuesday, held that the order was necessary to give Omobayo, the alleged contemnor, an opportunity of fair hearing to defend himself in line with Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Philip Shaibu, the reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, had filed the contempt charge for Omobayo to be committed to prison over his alleged refusal to vacate the deputy governorship position after a valid court judgment had directed him to leave.
Justice Omotosho had, on July 17, voided the impeachment of Shaibu as the deputy governor of Edo by the House of Assembly subservient to Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The judge, in the judgment, ordered his reinstatement to office on the grounds that the Edo House of Assembly failed to comply with due process in the purported impeachment.
The judge also held that the allegation on which the assembly relied on to impeach was untenable in law and did not constitute a gross misconduct.
The judgment was on the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/478/2024 with Shuaibu as the plaintiff.
The reinstated deputy governor had sued the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Deputy Governor of Edo, the AG Chief Judge of Edo, Speaker of Edo House of Assembly and the Edo State House of Assembly as 1st to 6th defendants.
Omobayo was, on April 8, sworn in as the deputy governor after Shaibu’s impeachment by the House of Assembly.
The judge had, on October 24, fixed Monday, November 4 for the hearing of the matter.
Justice Omotosho rescheduled the date after the court granted Shaibu’s motion ex-parte seeking for an order for a substituted service of Form 49 on Omobayo.
