The Federal High Court in Abuja has summoned the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Godwin Omobayo, to appear in court over his refusal to vacate his position.
Justice James Omotosho issued the order for Omobayo to appear on November 26, 2024.
This summons follows accusations that Omobayo has disobeyed a previous court judgment requiring him to leave office.
Philip Shaibu, the reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, filed a contempt charge against Omobayo, alleging that Omobayo’s refusal to step down violates a valid court judgment.
Justice Omotosho, in his ruling, emphasized that the order is meant to give Omobayo a fair opportunity to defend himself. He stated, “In the interest of justice and to give the alleged contemnor the opportunity to defend himself and a fair hearing in line with Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, the alleged contemnor is hereby ordered to be in court in person on November 26, 2024.”
The legal conflict between Omobayo and Shaibu dates back to July 17, when Justice Omotosho nullified the impeachment of Shaibu by the Edo State House of Assembly.
The court had ruled that Shaibu’s impeachment did not follow due process and ordered his reinstatement as Deputy Governor.
According to Justice Omotosho, the impeachment proceedings lacked legal grounds and did not meet the requirements for gross misconduct under Nigerian law.
In his ruling, the judge declared, “The allegation on which the assembly based the impeachment proceedings was untenable in law and did not constitute gross misconduct.”
Following the judgment, Shaibu returned to his office, but Omobayo reportedly refused to vacate the position, prompting Shaibu to file a contempt of court charge against him.
Shaibu’s legal team argues that Omobayo’s refusal to comply with the court’s judgment is a direct affront to the rule of law.
A source close to Shaibu said, “This is not just about who sits in the office; it is about respecting the court’s authority. The judgment was clear, and any attempt to ignore it is an attack on justice.”
The court’s latest order requires Omobayo to appear in person to explain why he has not complied with the earlier judgment.
Justice Omotosho also ordered that hearing notices be served to the defendants in the case, including Omobayo and other officials linked to the matter.
The legal battle has sparked tension in Edo State, where citizens are closely watching the ongoing struggle over the deputy governorship.
An Edo State resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed concern over the political instability in the state. “This back-and-forth is affecting our government’s ability to serve the people. We need our leaders to respect the law and focus on moving the state forward,” he said.
Political analysts believe this case may have wider implications for governance in Edo State and could set a precedent for how court judgments are respected in Nigeria.
Legal expert Emmanuel Nwankwo commented, “This case highlights the challenges Nigeria faces with enforcing court rulings. If public officials refuse to obey judgments, it erodes trust in the judiciary and weakens our democratic institutions.”
Shaibu’s reinstatement followed a heated political crisis in Edo State, where tensions between top officials have impacted governance.
The crisis has created a split within the political leadership in Edo, with some leaders supporting Omobayo’s refusal to step down and others calling for compliance with the court’s ruling.
Shaibu, who was removed from office earlier in the year, argued that the impeachment was politically motivated and orchestrated by opponents aiming to weaken his influence.
His reinstatement by the court was seen as a victory for his supporters, but the refusal of Omobayo to step down has continued to fuel controversy.
The upcoming court hearing on November 26 is expected to be a critical moment in this dispute, as Omobayo will have to respond to the contempt allegations directly.
