By Davidson Ogbebor

ABUJA — Former Edo State Deputy Governor, Marvellous Godwins Omobayo, has tendered an unreserved apology to former Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu and the Federal High Court in Abuja, bringing to an end the long-running contempt proceedings arising from the disputed 2024 Edo deputy governorship crisis.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, September 25, 2026, struck out the contempt proceedings against Omobayo after lawyers to both parties informed the court that they had reached an amicable resolution.

The development followed an affidavit and a separate letter of apology sworn to and written by Omobayo on September 24, 2026, in which he expressed regret over his conduct following the court’s judgment of July 17, 2024.

Omobayo also undertook not to present or describe himself as the Deputy Governor of Edo State, whether at public or private functions, in correspondence, official communications, publications or on social media, and not to exercise or purport to exercise powers or functions attached to the office contrary to the judgment and orders of the court.

While addressing the court, Omobayo said he apologised wholeheartedly and was purging himself of the contempt proceedings. He also stated that he did not intend to disrespect the court or disregard its judgment.

His apology came after nearly two years of legal proceedings that followed the Federal High Court judgment which nullified the impeachment of Shaibu by the Edo State House of Assembly and ordered his reinstatement.

In the judgment delivered on July 17, 2024, Justice Omotosho held that the impeachment process did not comply with the constitutional procedure governing the removal of a deputy governor. The judgment was delivered in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/478/2024, instituted by Shaibu against the Inspector-General of Police, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, the Attorney-General of Edo State, the Chief Judge of Edo State, the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly and the Edo State House of Assembly.

Shaibu had been impeached by the Edo State House of Assembly on April 8, 2024, after which Omobayo was sworn in as his replacement the same day. Following the Federal High Court judgment, Shaibu initiated contempt proceedings against Omobayo over his alleged failure to comply with the order reinstating him.

The contempt case remained before Justice Omotosho for an extended period. In September 2024, the court ordered that Omobayo be served with the relevant contempt processes, including Form 49, to enable him to defend himself and, where applicable, purge the alleged contempt. The matter was subsequently adjourned on several occasions.

The case also continued after the expiration of the immediate political circumstances surrounding the dispute. In September 2026, both sides informed the court that they were exploring an amicable settlement.

On September 23, when the matter came up for ruling, Omobayo’s counsel, Ken Mozia, SAN, sought additional time for the parties to complete their reconciliation efforts. Shaibu’s counsel, Kunle Lawal, confirmed that discussions were ongoing and did not oppose the request. Justice Omotosho consequently adjourned the matter to September 25.

When the matter returned to court on Friday, counsel for Omobayo informed the court that substantial agreement had been reached between the parties. Shaibu’s counsel, Ayotunde Ogunleye, SAN, subsequently applied for the withdrawal and striking out of the contempt charge.

The court accepted the resolution after Omobayo publicly read his affidavit and letter of apology.

Justice Omotosho, however, used the proceedings to underscore the importance of obedience to court orders and the authority of the judiciary. According to reports of the proceedings, the judge disclosed that he had already prepared a ruling in the contempt matter and would have imposed a three-month custodial sentence without an option of fine had the parties not resolved the dispute.

The judge’s warning went beyond the immediate parties, stressing that judicial orders must be respected irrespective of the status or position of the person affected.

The court’s decision effectively brought the contempt proceedings to an end without Omobayo being committed to prison. Premium Times, reporting the proceedings through an agency report, said the court discharged Omobayo after he tendered the apology, while other reports described the order as striking out or vacating the contempt proceedings.

The development also marks a significant chapter in the prolonged legal dispute between Shaibu and Omobayo, which began with the political crisis surrounding Shaibu’s removal from office in April 2024.

The 2024 judgment itself had generated competing positions at the time. While the Federal High Court ordered Shaibu’s reinstatement, the then Edo State Government maintained that Omobayo remained deputy governor pending the appeal and sought a stay of execution. Contemporary reports confirmed that the state government and the House of Assembly filed applications challenging the judgment, although those applications were subsequently withdrawn after the record of appeal had been transmitted to the Court of Appeal.

The latest settlement, however, concerns the contempt proceedings arising from the Federal High Court’s orders. It does not, by itself, amount to a new determination of every issue that may have arisen from the broader political and appellate dispute.

For Shaibu, the conclusion of the contempt case followed his decision to accept Omobayo’s apology and his counsel’s application to withdraw the proceedings. For Omobayo, the settlement came with explicit undertakings concerning his future conduct in relation to the office of Edo Deputy Governor.

The episode ultimately ended not with a custodial sentence but with an apology, undertakings and a judicial reminder that court orders remain binding and that disputes involving public office must be resolved within the framework of the law.