Public analyst and lawyer, Justice Osai Ahiakwo, has cautioned state governments and Houses of Assembly against trivializing impeachment proceedings as contained in the 1999 Constitution.
His caution arose from the Edo State House of Assembly’s reported impeachment of Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu over alleged leaking of government secrets.
In an interview with journalists in Calabar, Ahiakwo called on Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State to respect the rule of law and the court’s judgment. He advised government agencies to avoid further attempts to politicize or challenge the Appeal Court’s decision, which affirmed the high court’s ruling reinstating Shaibu as deputy governor.
Ahiakwo emphasized that the position of the appellate court is a clear message that impeachment proceedings must be strictly adhered to and not based on trivialities.
He stated, “The judgement from the Court of Appeal is no other than validating the trial Court’s judgment.”
Ahiakwo further said, “The severity and sensitivity of the case cannot be obliterated by any political gimmicks. It, therefore, means that the earlier the Edo State Government comes to terms with the reality that Philip Shaibu is the Deputy Governor of Edo State the better. Edo State Government must accept the court’s decision and recognize Philip Shaibu as the legitimate Deputy Governor of the State.”
Former presidential aide Chief Okoi Obono-Obla also reacted, asking 38-year-old Engr. Omobayo Godwin, appointed by Governor Obaseki to replace Philip Shaibu, to return all salaries earned while serving as deputy governor.
Obono-Obla stated, “Omobayo Godwin has to return all the salary and allowances paid to him from the day of his purported appointment until the day of the pronouncement of the Court of Appeal.”
Obono-Obla further said, “The purported deputy governor appointed by Governor Obaseki after the impeachment of Shaibu is illegal, wrongful and unconstitutional. He was never a deputy governor of Edo State in the eyes of the law.”
