Efforts by the Edo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Philip Shaibu, to halt the alleged impeachment move against him faced a setback as Justice James Omotoso of the Federal High Court Abuja refused to grant his request for an order of status quo.

In Wednesday’s proceedings, Shaibu’s plea to maintain the current state of affairs by the State House of Assembly and other parties involved in the impeachment saga was dismissed by the judge.

Represented by his lawyer, Professor Olawoyin Awoyale, the deputy governor had orally sought the order for status quo pending the hearing and determination of his motion on notice.

In an attempt to persuade the court, Awoyale cited legal authority to support the application. However, Justice Omotoso ruled that the cited authority was not applicable because neither the Governor of Edo State nor the State House of Assembly, the main actors in the impeachment process, had been served with the originating summons of the suit as required by law.

Nevertheless, the judge granted the request for substituted service, ordering that the court documents be posted at the entrance gates of the Edo State Government House and the State House of Assembly Complex in Benin. Additionally, all court papers are to be served on the involved parties through a registered courier company.

April 15 was set as the date for the hearing of the case. Throughout the proceedings, the Deputy Governor, who was present, declined to speak to journalists.