***Disengages Ken Mozia, SAN, Others
***Court Adjourns to March 11, 2025
By Ben Ogbemudia, Abuja
The legal battle over the controversial impeachment of former Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, took a new twist on Tuesday as the Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Samson Osagie, took over the contempt proceedings against Engr. Marvellous Omobayo Godwins, currently occupying the deputy governor’s seat.
This development led to an adjournment of the case to March 11, 2025, following Osagie’s announcement of his representation of the 2nd to 6th Defendants/Respondents, previously represented by Ken Mozia, SAN, and other legal practitioners.
Appearing before the court, the Attorney General stated that since assuming office two months ago, he had not been briefed by any lawyer regarding the state’s representation in the matter. According to him, there was no official record of the case file in his office except for the recent hearing notices served on him.
“In my capacity as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, I have a duty to represent the state parties involved in this case,” Osagie told the court.
The case stems from the Federal High Court ruling by Justice James Omotosho, which last year declared null and void the impeachment of Comrade Philip Shaibu.
Following his removal, Shaibu was denied access to his office by the then Governor Godwin Obaseki. In response, Shaibu filed contempt proceedings against Omobayo, who was appointed as deputy governor by the Obaseki administration despite the court’s ruling.
Engr. Omobayo was served Form 48 and later Form 49, both of which pertain to contempt of court and impersonation as deputy governor of the state.
With this latest legal maneuver, Omobayo’s fate hangs in the balance. If the court upholds the contempt charge, he could be facing imprisonment in Kuje Prison unless an alternative resolution is reached before the next hearing.
For now, the case has been adjourned to March 11, 2025, as all parties prepare for the next stage of legal arguments.
This power struggle highlight the political tensions in Edo State as the fallout from Shaibu’s controversial impeachment remains unresolved.