A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled hearing for October 24 in a contempt proceeding initiated by reinstated Edo State Deputy Governor Phillip Shuaibu against Marvellous Godwins Omobayo who is claiming to be the state’s deputy governor.
Justice James Omotosho chose the date yesterday after Shuaibu’s lawyer, Reuben Eguaba, drew the judge’s attention to a motion by his client seeking Omobayo’s committal to prison for allegedly failing to comply with a subsisting order of the court.
Justice Omotosho directed that Omobayo be served with all the documents filed so far, including Form 49, filed on September 19 by Shuaibu.
The judge said the service was necessary to give the alleged contemnor the opportunity to purge himself of the alleged contemptuous act.
He said: “This matter is hereby adjourned till October 24 for hearing of the motion on notice, dated September 13 and filed on September 19, seeking for committal of Marvellous Godwins Omobayo and to give him opportunity to defend himself.
“I hereby make an order that the motion (for committal) be served on Marvelous Godwins Omobayo to enable him file necessary defence.”
Eguaba had urged the court to grant a short adjournment in the case since the tenure of the current administration in state will expire on November 12.
The plaintiff’s lawyer told the court that its judgment, delivered on July 17 voiding Shuaibu’s impeachment and ordering his reinstatement, was duly served on Omobayo and that several letters were also written to the Edo State House of Assembly, which they allegedly ignored.
During an earlier proceedings, Justice Omotosho struck out the two motions filed by the Edo State government and the House of Assembly seeking to stay the execution of the judgment reinstating Shaibu as deputy governor of Edo State.
