The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a N50 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by former Edo Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu against ex-Governor Godwin Obaseki and other defendants.

Justice Peter Lifu delivered the ruling on Monday following an application to withdraw the suit by Shaibu's legal representative, Anita Oteh, who informed the court that the parties had settled their differences.

"In view of the fact that issues have been joined in this matter, this suit is hereby dismissed in its entirety," Justice Lifu ruled.

The Attorney-General of the Federation's representative, Aliyu Abdulkadir, told the court he was unaware of any settlement between the parties but did not oppose the application for withdrawal.

Background of the Legal Battle

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/914/2024, Shaibu had sued Obaseki, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Attorney General of Edo State as defendants.

The former deputy governor sought N50 billion in damages for alleged illegal and unconstitutional violation of his fundamental rights. He also requested a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further arresting or detaining him, plus N100 million as the cost of filing the suit.

In his witness statement, Shaibu claimed he was unlawfully removed from office before his tenure's scheduled end on November 11, 2024, allegedly at Obaseki's instigation and with the Inspector-General's aid. He further alleged that his security personnel were withdrawn and that the Edo government had issued a notice to retrieve 22 official vehicles in his custody.

The political saga took another turn on July 17, 2024, when Justice James Omotosho of a sister court reinstated Shaibu as Deputy Governor, three months after his impeachment by the Edo House of Assembly, ruling that the impeachment was illegal.

This dismissal marks another chapter in the ongoing political tensions in Edo State, which have seen significant legal battles between the former deputy governor and his former boss.