Government activities in Edo state were temporarily put on hold on Thursday morning, January 21, as top political office holders stormed Benin High Court over the arraignment of the former majority leader of the Edo State House of Assembly Hon. Philip Shaibu.

They were in court to give solidarity for Shaibu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) member representing Etsako federal constituency in the House of Representatives, who was re-arraigned in court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), on a-six count charge bothering on alleged forgery of tax document in 2006.
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Justice Esohe Ikponmwen of the Benin High Court had last Thursday, January 14, issued a warrant of arrest on the federal law maker for failure to appear in court.

When the accused appeared in court on Thursday, the court chamber was packed full by government officials who temporarily abandoned their offices in solidarity with the former State House of Assembly majority leader.

Leading the delegation was the Deputy Governor of the state Pius Odubu who led other top exco members to the court in solidarity with the embattled federal law maker.

Other officials are, Osarodion Ogie, commissioner for works, Isimemen Iriogbe, commissioner for transport, Washington Osifo, commissioner for Energy and Water Resources, Jemitola Aanena, commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Macdonald Obasuki, commissioner for Arts and Culture.

Also present was a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Thomas Okosun and members of the House, namely, Bamidele Oloruntuba and Shaibu Imodagbe.

Following the setting aside of the warrant of arrest order, the six-count charge was formally read to the accused person. He however pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Consequent upon an oral application for bail for the accused by his counsel, Ken Mozia, which went unopposed by Godson Igbadumhe, counsel to ICPC, Justice Ikponmwen, granted the accused bail in the sum of N3 million and a surety who must be resident in Benin-City and gainfully employed.

She however adjoined the case to February 15 and 16 for further hearing.

Naij.com recalls that Justice Esther Edigin of Benin High Court had on June 30, 2014, granted bail to Hon. Shaibu at the sum of N3 million.

Report sent in by Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

Source: Naij