The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday dismissed a N50 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by former Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, against former Governor Godwin Obaseki and others.
Justice Peter Lifu struck out the case after Shaibu’s lawyer, Anita Oteh, applied to withdraw it, citing an amicable resolution between the parties involved.
During the resumed hearing, Oteh told the court that the issues had been resolved, prompting the withdrawal request.
However, Aliyu Abdulkadir, counsel for the Attorney-General of the Federation—the fourth defendant—stated he was unaware of any settlement and insisted that if such an agreement existed, the court should be formally informed.
“However, we are not opposed to the application for withdrawal and will also not be asking for a cost, but I will make a simple request,” he said.
Read Also: Edo Deputy Speaker Resigns
Abdulkadir then requested the court to dismiss the case.
However, Oteh opposed his request and asked the court to approve their application to withdraw the suit instead.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu stated that since the parties had already engaged in the matter, the appropriate course of action was to dismiss the suit.
“In view of the fact that issues have been joined in this matter, this suit is hereby dismissed in its entirety”, he ruled.
In the writ of summons, Philip Shaibu named the Governor of Edo State, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), and the Attorney-General of Edo State as the 1st to 5th defendants.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/914/2024 and dated July 4, 2024, but filed on July 19, 2024, was brought by his lawyer, Egwuaba Reuben, seeking various reliefs.
Shaibu requested the court to award him N50 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages to be paid jointly by the defendants for the alleged illegal and unconstitutional breach of his fundamental rights.
He also sought a perpetual injunction to prevent the defendants or their agents from arresting or detaining him or committing further acts that violate his rights, unless authorized by the court.
Additionally, he demanded N100 million as compensation for the cost of filing the suit.
In his sworn statement, Shaibu stated that he was elected as the deputy governor of Edo State with a tenure set to end on November 11, 2024.
However, he claimed that, at the instigation of Governor Obaseki and with the cooperation of the IGP, he was unlawfully removed from office before completing his term—a matter that remains before the court.
He further alleged that following his removal, the IGP withdrew all his security personnel who were meant to protect him until the end of his tenure.
He also referenced a July 2, 2024 publication in which the Edo State government ordered the retrieval of 22 official vehicles still in his possession, among other items.
Shaibu asked the court to declare Obaseki’s alleged attempts to get him arrested through the other defendants as unlawful and a violation of his constitutional rights under the 1999 Constitution.
It was noted that no legal representatives appeared in court on Monday for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th defendants.
Separately, Justice James Omotosho of another court had, on July 17, 2024, nullified Shaibu’s impeachment and reinstated him as deputy governor, ruling that the Edo State House of Assembly’s action was unlawful.
Join Informant Online WhatsApp Channel With Link Below: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2
