The Edo State Government has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun over the state’s breakdown of law and order on Thursday, July 18, 2024.
Earlier, the state government accused Philip Shaibu, the reinstated deputy governor of the state, of coordinating the violence under the guise of carrying out a Federal High Court judgement in Abuja for which a stay of execution and an appeal had been filed.
In a recent twist of events, the government accused Shaibu of recruiting armed thugs to cause mayhem in Benin City, resulting in the death of a police inspector, Akor Onuh.
According to a petition signed by the State Solicitor General, Prof. Faith Osadolor, on behalf of the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Shaibu allegedly assembled a large group of heavily armed thugs, including Tony Adun (known as Tony Kabaka), Daniel Eromosele (known as Pikolo), Efe Stewart, Joseph Okonigene, Noah Amiolemen Idemudia, and others, in violation of the rule of law. This group participated in vigilantism, causing massive destruction throughout Benin and the killing of a police officer.
The state administration, led by Godwin Obaseki, has thus requested the police to thoroughly investigate the incident by inviting Shaibu and other members of his gang, and if found guilty, to prosecute them.
The request, entitled “Request to Investigate a Case of Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Murder, Malicious Damage to Property, Breach of Public Peace, and Assault Occasioning Harm by Former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Philip Shaibu and his Cohorts,” was sent to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Appointment Zone 5.
“First and foremost, we would like to formally convey our sincere condolences to the Nigeria Police Force on the passing of one of your brave officers, Inspector Akor Onuh, attached to MOPOL 45 Abuja. Inspector Onuh was a victim of the attack on July 18, 2024, which was instigated by Hon. Philip Shaibu, a former deputy governor of Edo State.
“Inspector Onuh was a devoted public worker and a real hero who gave his life while performing his duties. The people and administration of Edo State will always remember his bravery and dedication to defending others. We implore God Almighty to provide consolation to the Nigeria Police officers, especially the family of the fallen officer, as well as the Inspector General.
“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 orchestrated by the former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Philip Shaibu, under the guise of enforcing a court judgement which is the subject of a pending appeal, and for which a motion for stay of execution had been filed and served on him.”
According to the Attorney General, “The facts giving rise to this petition are described as follows:
“On Wednesday, July 17, 2024, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja rendered a judgement nullifying Hon. Philip Shaibu’s removal as the Deputy Governor of Edo.
“The Edo State Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, who was sued as the 3rd Defendant in the said suit, immediately lodged an appeal against the 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 18th 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, including Tony Adun (known as Tony Kabaka), Daniel Eromosele (known as Pikolo), Efe Stewart, Joseph Okonigene, Noah Amiolemen Idemudia, Chief Osahon Airhunmwnde (MD/CEO Play House Hotel Ltd), Eric Imariagbe (known as Baroko), Kelly Okungbowa (known as Ebo Stone), Lucky Igiebor, Kassy Chukwu, Osarumwense Marvis (known as Eweanwan), Osasenaga (known as Osasenaga Ogbe), and others, resorting to vigilantism with the aid of the aforementioned armed thugs and non-state actors in an attempt to overreach the final outcome of the Motion for Stay and Interlocutory Injunction as well as the substantive suit.”
He further noted, “In line with their common intention, Hon. Philip Shaibu and his armed thugs invaded Benin Airport, shooting sporadically, and then moved into town, attacking road users, destroying vehicles, and other private and public 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. Even lawyers were attacked at the Secretariat of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Benin Branch.”
”The government said it was reliably informed and believes that Hon. Philip Shaibu, the above-named persons, and others conspired with mathematical accuracy to execute their plans with brutal efficiency such that Edo State would become ungovernable. They aimed to take over Edo State Government House, increase the destruction of the legitimate properties of innocent Edo citizens, and continue their sporadic and intermittent shootings at targeted areas, among other actions.”
The Attorney General charged, “In light of the above, we urge you to conduct a thorough investigation of this matter by inviting Hon. Philip Shaibu and other members of his gang. If found culpable, they should be brought to justice, as no one is above the law.”