30/10/2025
BREAKING NEWS 🚨🚨🚨
Former Edo State Deputy Governor, Marvellous Omobayo, has firmly rejected the Edo State government’s one-week ultimatum demanding he return official property, arguing that his tenure’s legality remains under judicial review at the Court of Appeal.
In a letter dated October 28, 2025, addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Director-General of the DSS, and National Security Adviser, Omobayo stated that he still retains the rights and privileges of a former deputy governor until the appellate court delivers its ruling.
He explained that his appeal — Case No: CA/ABJ/CV/856/2024 — challenges the Federal High Court judgment of July 17, 2024, which nullified his appointment and reinstated Philip Shaibu, citing violations of Section 188(1)-(9) of the 1999 Constitution. The ruling by Justice James Omotosho had declared Shaibu’s impeachment and Omobayo’s subsequent swearing-in as unconstitutional.
Omobayo emphasized that a stay of ex*****on is currently pending, and that all legal processes are before the Court of Appeal, cautioning against any unlawful enforcement of the government’s directive. He warned security agencies not to be manipulated into actions that could interfere with the court proceedings, describing such moves as “contemptuous and prejudicial.”
To support his claims, Omobayo attached copies of his Notice of Appeal, record of appeal, appellant’s brief, and other pending applications, reiterating that only the Court of Appeal has the authority to determine the legitimacy of his tenure.
Meanwhile, Governor Monday Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, had earlier issued the ultimatum, labeling Omobayo’s time in office under former Governor Godwin Obaseki as “illegal.”
Omobayo, who was sworn in on April 8, 2024, following Obaseki’s fallout with Shaibu, continued to serve until the administration ended, despite the court’s reinstatement order for Shaibu not being implemented.