By Simeon OSAJIE
Former Edo State Deputy Governor, Godwins Marvelous Omobayo, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over a threat of arrest made by the Governor of the state, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
The altercation between Philip Shaibu and Godwins Marvelous Omobayo at the Former Deputy Governors’ Forum in Abuja stemmed from a dispute over legitimacy. Shaibu objected to Omobayo being introduced as the former Deputy Governor of Edo State, citing a court judgment that nullified Omobayo’s appointment. Omobayo countered, asserting his legitimacy as Deputy Governor and also asserting that the matter of legitimacy is pending before the court.
The threat was conveyed in a press release dated October 28, 2025 issued by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the state governor, Fred Itua, quoting Governor Okpebholo as giving Omobayo a one-week ultimatum to return state-owned properties, failing which he would face arrest.
The petition by Godwins Omobayo, the former Deputy Governor of the State also expresses concern over the use of derogatory language in the government statement, specifically referring to him as an “illegitimate deputy governor.”
Omobayo pointed out that the legitimacy of his tenure as Deputy Governor of Edo State, which was questioned in the press statement, is currently sub judise, being the subject of an ongoing appeal (No: CA/ABJ/CV/880/2024) at the Court of Appeal, Abuja.
The appeal challenges the July 17, 2024, judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/478/2024.
Omobayo reminded the IGP that the legitimacy issue is sub judice, with a pending appeal and application for stay of execution and injunction before the Court of Appeal, and notably, the IGP is also a party to the suit.
Being a party to the suit, Omobayo reminded Nigerian Police Force (NPF) to refrain from being instigated to take actions that are capable of being interpreted as contemptuous of the court or calculated to bring the administration of justice into disrepute.
”Please note that it will be unlawful for a party to a pending appeal to resort to self-help by deploying thugs to overreach a court m respect of a matter awaiting judicial resolution or instigate the police to engage in actions capable of interfering with the constitutional function of the judiciary. This will amount to contempt of court and will attract severe consequences.
”All concerned are advised to await the outcome of the matters in court before taking any action in respect of the subject matter of the suit/ appeal.”