Hobnob News – The Federal High Court in Abuja has officially dismissed a N50 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, against his former principal, ex-Governor Godwin Obaseki, and four others.
Justice Peter Lifu presided over the case and struck it out on Monday following an application for withdrawal submitted by Shaibu’s lawyer, Anita Oteh.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/914/2024 and filed on July 19, 2024, had named Obaseki, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Attorney-General of Edo State as the 1st to 5th defendants.
Shaibu had sought N50 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages over alleged violations of his fundamental rights, alongside N100 million in litigation costs. He also asked the court for a perpetual injunction barring the defendants from arresting or detaining him without due process.
In an affidavit accompanying the suit, Shaibu claimed he was unlawfully removed from office before the end of his tenure, which was supposed to expire on November 11, 2024. He further alleged that his security details were withdrawn and there were attempts to seize government property in his possession—actions he described as unconstitutional and oppressive.
However, at Monday’s hearing, counsel for Shaibu, Anita Oteh, informed the court that the parties had reached an amicable resolution and requested to withdraw the case.
Responding to the development, counsel to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Aliyu Abdulkadir, stated that his office was unaware of any out-of-court settlement but did not oppose the withdrawal. He urged the court to dismiss the case entirely instead of allowing a mere withdrawal.
Oteh resisted the request for dismissal, preferring a straightforward withdrawal, but Justice Lifu ruled in favor of dismissal, citing the advanced stage of the proceedings.
“In view of the fact that issues have been joined in this matter, this suit is hereby dismissed in its entirety,” the judge declared.
Interestingly, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th defendants had no legal representation in court during the session.
The dismissal brings an abrupt end to a highly publicized legal battle that once threatened to deepen political tensions within Edo State.
