Shaibu’s N50bn Suit against Obaseki, Others Dismissed

Alex Enumah in Abuja

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday, dismissed a N50 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, against the then governor, Godwin Obaseki, and others.

Lifu dismissed the suit while ruling in an application for its withdrawal by the plaintiff’s lawyer, Anita Oteh.

At yesterday’s proceedings, Oteh informed the court that parties in the suit had settled their differences, hence, the need to withdraw the suit.

But counsel to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the fourth defendant in the suit, Aliyu Abdulkadir, denied any knowledge of the settlement.

“However, we are not opposed to the application for withdrawal and will also not be asking for a cost, but I will make a simple request,” Abdulkadir said.

Abdulkadir then prayed the court to dismiss the suit.

Oteh disagreed with Abdulkadir’s request, urging the court to grant their application for the withdrawal of the suit.

Lifu, in his ruling, held that, having joined issues in the matter, the proper thing was to dismiss the case.

“In view of the fact that issues have been joined in this matter, this suit is hereby dismissed in its entirety,” he ruled.

Obaseki, Inspector-General (IG) of Police, Director, Department of State Services (DSS), AGF, and Attorney General of Edo State were first to fifth defendants, respectively, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/914/2024, and dated July 4, 2024, but filed July 19, 2024 by Shaibu’s counsel, Egwuaba Reuben.

Among reliefs sought was an order of the court awarding the sum of N50 billion to Shaibu for aggravated and exemplary damages against the defendants to be paid jointly for the illegal and unconstitutional violation of his fundamental rights.

He also sought an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the defendants and their agents from further arresting or detaining him, repeating or continuing any act or further acts in violation of his fundamental rights on issues bordering on or connected to facts of the case without the leave of the court.

The plaintiff equally sought the sum of N100 million as the cost of filing the suit.

In his witness statement on oath, Shaibu averred that he was elected deputy governor of Edo State and his tenure was to end on November 11, 2024.

He alleged that on the instigation of Obaseki and with the aid of the IG, “I was unlawfully removed from the office before the expiration of my tenure, which same issue is a subject of litigation pending before this court.”