A High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, threw out an oral request by Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, to stop Governor Godwin Obaseki, the state house of assembly and others from going ahead with his impeachment process.
The trial judge, Justice Omotosho who declined to grant the request exparte however ordered the lawyer to the deputy governor, Prof. Oladoyin Awoyale, to serve all the defendants in the case with the processes and hearing notices and adjourned until March 18 for hearing.
BAR & BENCH WATCH reports that the embattled deputy governor had, in a motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/321/2024, sued the Edo State Government, the governor, the house of assembly and the speaker on the matter.
Also joined in the suit are clerk of the assembly, chief judge, Inspector-General (I-G) of Police and director-general of state security service as 5th to 8th defendants respectively.
In the motion dated and filed March 8, Shaibu sought an order of interim injunction restraining the 3rd to 5th defendants from interfering with the res (subject matter) of the originating summons.
He also sought an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants jointly or severally from taking any adverse actions in relation to any attempt or process targeted at his removal from office as deputy governor of Edo pending the hearing of the motion on notice.
He urged the court to make an order restraining the all the defendants from preventing him from performing his official duties and discharging his responsibilities, including, attending the State Executive Council meetings/functions and other duties.
But on Tuesday when the matter came up, Awoyale told the court that he was unable to serve some of the defendants and the judge adjourned until Wednesday to hear another motion filed.
Upon resumed hearing of the case on Wednesday, Awoyale informed the court that he had an humble application dated March 8.
He said the motion sought an order granting leave to them to effect service of the originating summons and other processes on the state governor and the state government by substituted means, through pasting the documents at the gate of Edo State Government House or by courier service.
The senior lawyer said the motion also sought an order granting leave to effect service of the processes on the state House of assembly and its speaker by substituted means, through pasting it at Edo State House of Assembly gate or by courier service.
He urged the court to grant their prayers.
He said the clerk of the assembly, chief judge, Inspector-General (I-G) of Police had been served in the matter.
Awoyale then prayed the court for an order for parties to maintain a status quo pending the hearing and determination of the suit.
He cited previous cases to back his submission.
But Justice Omotosho turned down Awoyale’s request for an order for parties to maintain status quo.
“Counsel, you know that it is not possible,” he said
The judge held that the previous case cited by the lawyer was not applicable in the instant suit.
He said that in the authority cited about military administrator of Lagos State, all the parties in the suit had been served, but in the present case, some parties were yet to be served.
“Today, we are just seeking for leave to serve the parties by substituted means. So can this court grant this, the answer is no,” the judge said.
Justice Omotosho, however, advised the lawyer to apply for a fiat, through the chief judge of FHC, so that their case could be heard during vacation as the court would commence its vacation on Friday.
The judge, who granted the leave for substituted service as prayed by the lawyer, adjourned the matter until April 15 for hearing.
