Former Edo State Deputy Governor, Godwins Omobayo, has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to suspend its ruling on a contempt charge filed against him. Omobayo is charged with refusing to vacate the deputy governorship position after a court judgment reinstated Philip Shaibu, who was unlawfully impeached by the state's lawmakers. The contempt charge was filed by Shaibu for Omobayo's alleged disobedience to the court order.
Justice James Omotosho had fixed Wednesday for the ruling in the contempt proceedings initiated against Omobayo by Shaibu. However, Omobayo's lawyer, Ken Mozia, SAN, sought permission to address the court, citing ongoing discussions between the parties for an out-of-court settlement. Mozia stated that his team had met with Shaibu's lead counsel, Ayotunde Ogunleye, SAN, and had substantially agreed on some issues but needed more time to resolve the outstanding ones.
Mozia prayed to the court to allow the parties to engage in reconciliation, citing that they were yet to completely agree on some issues raised by Shaibu. He requested a short adjournment to enable them to clear the two outstanding issues. Justice Omotosho, who noted it was not his practice to suspend a ruling while it was about to be delivered, recalled that the court had given the parties about two months to reconcile.
The judge then sought to hear from Kunle Lawal, who appeared for Shaibu, in the interest of fair hearing. Lawal confirmed that a reconciliation was ongoing between the parties and did not oppose Mozia's application for a short adjournment. He stated that his client needed more time to review some of the outstanding issues.
Justice Omotosho consequently adjourned the matter until September 25 for ruling. The court had previously voided the impeachment of Shaibu as the deputy governor of Edo by the house of assembly on July 17, 2024. The judge ordered Shaibu's reinstatement to office, citing that the house of assembly failed to comply with due process in the purported impeachment.
Omobayo was sworn in as the new deputy governor on April 8, 2024, after Shaibu's impeachment. However, after the court judgment reinstating Shaibu, Omobayo allegedly refused to vacate the deputy governorship position, prompting Shaibu to file a contempt charge. The contempt charge was dated September 13, 2024, and filed by Ogunleye on September 19, 2024.
The case has been adjourned until September 25 for ruling, allowing the parties more time to resolve their differences. The court's decision to adjourn the matter indicates that it is open to considering an out-of-court settlement.
Key points
- Ex-Edo deputy governor Godwins Omobayo urges court to suspend ruling on contempt charge for out-of-court settlement.
- The court had previously voided the impeachment of Philip Shaibu as the deputy governor of Edo by the house of assembly on July 17, 2024.
- The case has been adjourned until September 25 for ruling.
