ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed the ₦50 billion fundamental rights enforcement lawsuit filed by the former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, against his former principal, ex-Governor Godwin Obaseki, and four others.
The decision came during Monday’s court session, when Justice Peter Lifu struck out the case following an application for withdrawal made by Shaibu’s counsel, Anita Oteh, who told the court that the parties involved had reached an amicable settlement.
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Case Withdrawn Following Amicable Resolution
Oteh, representing Shaibu, informed the court that the matter had been resolved through mutual agreement and no longer required judicial intervention.
While the legal counsel for the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Aliyu Abdulkadir, said he had no knowledge of the reported settlement, he did not object to the withdrawal. Instead, he requested a full dismissal of the case rather than a mere striking out.
Justice Lifu agreed with the request and ruled accordingly:
“In view of the fact that issues have been joined in this matter, this suit is hereby dismissed in its entirety,” he said.
The ruling effectively ends the high-profile ₦50 billion legal face-off between Shaibu and Obaseki, which had attracted public interest since the fallout between the two former allies.
Background of the Suit
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/914/2024, was filed on July 19, 2024, by Shaibu, who served as deputy to Obaseki before his controversial impeachment.
In the suit, Shaibu sued five parties:
- Godwin Obaseki (former Edo Governor)
- Inspector-General of Police (IGP)
- Director of the Department of State Services (DSS)
- Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF)
- Attorney-General of Edo State
He claimed that the defendants violated his fundamental human rights, seeking ₦50 billion in general damages and an additional ₦100 million as litigation costs.
Allegations Made by Shaibu
In his court filings, Shaibu alleged that:
- He was unlawfully removed from office before the expiration of his tenure.
- His security details were withdrawn without explanation.
- The Edo State government began efforts to recover 22 official vehicles in his possession.
- He was subjected to intimidation and harassment orchestrated by Obaseki and implemented with the assistance of the Nigeria Police and DSS.
- He feared possible re-arrest or unlawful detention by the authorities.
Shaibu had asked the court to grant an injunction restraining the defendants from arresting, detaining, or harassing him without the express permission of a court of law.
Earlier Reinstatement by a Sister Court
Interestingly, this latest development comes in the wake of a landmark judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho of another Federal High Court division on July 17, 2024. In that ruling, Justice Omotosho reinstated Philip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State, describing his impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly as illegal and unconstitutional.
That verdict was viewed by many legal experts and political observers as a significant blow to the Obaseki-led administration’s post-election maneuvers.
Absence of Key Defendants in Court
Notably, during Monday’s proceedings, no legal representatives appeared for the first (Obaseki), second (IGP), third (DSS), and fifth (Edo Attorney-General) defendants. This raised eyebrows among courtroom observers, especially given the gravity of the allegations and the scale of the claims.
The absence did not, however, hinder the court’s ability to issue a dismissal, as the request to withdraw came from the plaintiff himself.
Political Fallout Between Obaseki and Shaibu
The political rift between Obaseki and Shaibu, once allies in the Edo political landscape, became a public spectacle in mid-2023 and intensified into 2024.
Once Obaseki’s trusted deputy, Shaibu began to publicly express dissent over governance matters in Edo State. Their relationship deteriorated to the point that Shaibu was forcibly removed from office by the Edo State House of Assembly in what he termed a “politically orchestrated witch-hunt.”
Political analysts believe Shaibu’s ambition to contest the 2024 Edo governorship election — a seat Obaseki appeared unwilling to support him for — was at the heart of the fallout.
The result was an impeachment that many viewed as retaliatory, leading to multiple lawsuits, public statements, and political maneuvering on both sides.
Settlement: End of Legal Hostilities?
While the full terms of the reported out-of-court settlement remain undisclosed, the move to withdraw such a high-profile suit suggests that a political or personal reconciliation may have been reached — or at least a strategic ceasefire.
Legal observers say this could mark the end of Shaibu’s legal offensives, especially considering that his reinstatement has already been secured in another court. However, it’s not immediately clear whether all parties have agreed to refrain from further actions moving forward.
Public Reaction and Political Implications
The saga between Shaibu and Obaseki has had implications not just in Edo State, but on the broader national political terrain — especially with the 2027 general elections drawing closer.
Key stakeholders within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) have monitored the situation closely, given the possible repositioning of Shaibu within Edo politics and beyond.
There is speculation that Shaibu could switch political allegiance ahead of the 2027 general elections, possibly leveraging public sympathy from what many view as a victimisation campaign.
