The Edo State Government has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, regarding the breakdown of law and order in the state on Thursday, July 18, 2024.

The state government accused Philip Shaibu, the reinstated deputy governor of the state, of orchestrating the violence under the pretext of executing a judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, for which a stay of execution had been filed and an appeal entered.

In a recent development, the government accused Shaibu of hiring armed thugs to cause chaos, resulting in the death of a police inspector, Akor Onuh, in Benin City.

According to a petition signed by the State Solicitor General, Prof. Faith Osadolor, on behalf of the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the government stated that Shaibu recruited heavily armed thugs, including Tony Adun (Aka Tony Kabaka), Daniel Eromosele (Aka Pikolo), Efe Stewart, Joseph Okonigene, Noah Amiolemen Idemudia, among others. The petition claimed this led to destruction within Benin City and the death of a police officer.

The petition reads: “Firstly, we write to formally express our heartfelt condolences to the Nigeria Police Force on the passing of one of your gallant officers, Inspector Akor Onuh, attached to MOPOL 45 Abuja, who was a victim of the attack of July 18, 2024, instigated by a former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Philip Shaibu.

“Inspector Onuh was a true hero and dedicated public servant who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. His bravery and commitment to protecting others will never be forgotten by the government and people of Edo State. We beseech God Almighty to comfort the Inspector General and other officers of the Nigeria Police, including the family of the departed officer.

“In addition to the above, I wish to restate, on behalf of the Edo State Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, that on the 18th day of July, 2024, there was a breakdown of law and order which was orchestrated by former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Philip Shaibu, under the guise of enforcing a court judgment which is a subject matter of a pending appeal, and to which a motion for stay of execution had been filed and served on him.”

The petition further explained the events leading to the unrest: “On Wednesday, 17th day of July 2024, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja delivered a judgment nullifying the removal of Hon. Philip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State.

“The Edo State Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, who was sued as the 3rd Defendant in the said suit, immediately lodged an appeal against the said judgment alongside a motion praying the court to stay the execution of the said judgment. Copies of the Notice of Appeal and Motion for Stay of Execution were served on all parties to the Appeal, including Hon. Philip Shaibu.

“On the 18th day of July 2024, Hon. Philip Shaibu, purportedly in an attempt to interpret and enforce the judgment without awaiting the final outcome of the judicial process and contrary to the rule of law recruited a throng of heavily armed thugs which included one Tony Adun (Aka Tony Kabaka), Daniel Eromosele (Aka Pikolo), Efe Stewart, Joseph Okonigene, Noah Amiolemen Idemudia, Chief Osahon Airhunmwnde (MD/CEO Play House Hotel Ltd), Eric Imariagbe (Aka Baroko), Kelly Okungbowa (Aka Ebo Stone), Lucky Igiebor, Kassy Chukwu, Osarumwense Marvis (Aka Eweanwan), Osasenaga (Aka Osasenaga Ogbe) and others, resorting to self-help with the aid of the aforementioned armed thugs and non-state actors and in an attempt to overreach the final outcome of the Motion for Stay and Interlocutory Injunction as well as the substantive suit.”

The government also alleged that Shaibu and his thugs invaded Benin Airport, shooting sporadically, and then moved into town, attacking road users, destroying vehicles and other properties. “In the wake of their attack on harmless citizens, a police officer was shot dead by the fierce thugs while several other citizens were assaulted and sustained varying degrees of injuries, and even lawyers were attacked at the Secretariat of the Nigerian Bar Association Benin Branch.”

The petition concluded with a call for action: “In the light of the above, we urge you to embark on a thorough investigation of this matter by inviting Hon. Philip Shaibu and other members of his gang, and if found culpable, be brought to book, as no man is above the law.”