Obaseki’s appointed deputy, Omobayo appears in court over alleged contempt

Godwins Omobayo, who was appointed as deputy governor to the immediate-past Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, on Monday, appeared at a Federal High Court in Abuja to honour a court order.

Omobayo appeared in court alongside his counsel, Ken Mozia, SAN, before Justice Omotosho.

Justice Omotosho had, on 4 November ordered Mr Omobayo to appear in person before him on 25 November (today) over his alleged disobedience to court judgment.

The judge, in a ruling, held that the order was to give Mr Omobayo, the alleged contemnor, a fair hearing and the opportunity to defend himself in line with Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

It would be recalled that the reinstated Deputy Governor to Mr Obaseki, Philip Shaibu, had filed the contempt charge for Omobayo to be committed to prison over his alleged refusal to vacate the deputy governorship position after a valid court judgment.

Justice Omotosho voided Shaibu’s impeachment as the deputy governor of Edo by the Edo House of Assembly on 17 July.

The judge had ordered his reinstatement to office on the grounds that the Edo House of Assembly failed to comply with due process in the impeachment.

The judge also held that the allegation on which the assembly based the impeachment proceedings was untenable in law and did not constitute gross misconduct.

The judgment was in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/478/2024 with Mr Shaibu as the plaintiff.