Justice James Kolawole Omotoso of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Phillip Shaibu, permission to join the Speaker of the state assembly in the lawsuit challenging his removal from office. Additionally, the Judge ruled in favor of Shaibu, allowing him to include his successor as a defendant in the lawsuit.
In a ruling delivered on Wednesday concerning a motion on notice filed by Shaibu, the Judge agreed with his counsel, Ayotunde Ogunleye SAN, affirming that both the Speaker and the new Deputy Governor are indispensable parties in the litigation.
The Judge emphasized that according to Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution, the Speaker’s involvement is crucial to the impeachment process, thereby necessitating their presence in court to ensure that any orders issued are legally binding on them.
Consequently, the court granted permission to the former Deputy Governor to amend his originating summons in the suit, incorporating the names of the Speaker and the Deputy Governor as the 9th and 10th defendants, respectively.
The hearing for the substantive suit has been scheduled for June 3, following the Judge’s directive for expedited proceedings.