By Abiola Olawale
Panic has gripped many citizens residing in Benin City, the capital of Edo State as a heavy security team has been sighted at the Government House in the Government Reservation Area (GRA).
It was gathered that security operatives, including policemen, Department of State Services (DSS) officials and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), are strategically stationed in parts of Benin to prevent the breakdown of law and order.
This is coming after the Edo State Government had raised an alarm over an alleged invasion of the Government House.
Crusoe Osagie, Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State on Media and Public Conmunication, in a statement, had accused the immediate past Deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, of allegedly planning to invade Government House with thugs.
Osagie alleged that the planned invasion by Shaibu, was to allegedly enforce his reinstatement even though a stay of execution appeal had been filed, challenging Justice James Omotosho’s judgment.
But Shaibu’s camp denied the allegation, saying he is a man of peace.
Shaibu in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Musa Ebomhiana, denied the allegations, accusing the State government of raising false alarm and crying foul where none exists.
According to him, the allegations are baseless and untrue. He insisted that the Edo state government should accept the fact that the 2024 governorship election had been concluded.
He said: “There is no iota of truth in it, please. They should know that the election has been lost and won. This is cheap blackmail and propaganda.”
It would be recalled that Justice James Omotoso of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, had declared the impeachment of Shaibu as illegal and unconstitutional.
The judge, in his ruling, held that Shuaibu’s impeachment and subsequent removal from office violated the provisions of the law.
He also ordered his reinstatement as deputy governor of the state.
The ruling came after the Edo State Assembly impeached Shaibu on April 8, 2024, in a culmination of the months-long political drama with Obaseki.
The impeachment followed the adoption of the report of the seven-man investigative panel set up by the state’s Chief Judge to probe allegations of misconduct against Shaibu.
The retired Justice S. A. Omonuwa-led panel had accused Shaibu of allegedly leaking state government’s secrets in the affidavit he filed in support of his suit in Abuja.
The panel, in its reports, accused Shaibu of violating the Oath of Secrecy he took and acted contrary to the provisions of Schedule 7 of the 1999 Constitution.
