Abuja, Nigeria — April 30, 2026
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has ordered former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Godwins Adebayo, to face contempt proceedings over his failure to comply with a valid order issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The contempt action was initiated by another former Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, alongside the Edo State House of Assembly, following a Federal High Court judgment that removed Adebayo from office. Despite the ruling, Adebayo allegedly refused to vacate his position, prompting legal action against him.
In a unanimous decision, a three-member panel of the appellate court led by Justice Okon Abang held that Adebayo acted wrongly by remaining in office after being lawfully removed by the trial court.
The court consequently dismissed Adebayo’s appeal and directed him to respond to the contempt charges filed against him.
The ruling marks a significant development in the ongoing legal dispute surrounding the leadership of Edo State’s deputy governorship, reinforcing the authority of court orders and the consequences of disobedience.
