Former Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu has distanced himself from allegations of colluding with Governor Monday Okpebholo to loot money from the state.
Naijaonpoint had earlier reported that Okpebholo had been accused of colluding with Philip Shaibu in a plan to divert over ₦40 billion from the state’s treasury.
Sources alleged that the money is being disguised as unpaid allowances and entitlements due to Shaibu during his tenure as acting governor and deputy governor between 2016 and 2024.
Sources told Naijaonpoint that to actualise the payout, Shaibu has approached the National Industrial Court, Abuja, demanding payment of over ₦40 billion. The suit, marked NICN/Abj/133/2025, also includes a request for over ₦85 million allegedly incurred as medical bills for his wife, Maryann, between 2016 and 2024.
The sources close to the immediate-past administration in Edo State disclosed that Shaibu had first approached Okpebholo, and both men allegedly reached an understanding for him to secure a court order as legal cover for the payments.
Recall that Shaibu was impeached by the Edo House of Assembly on April 8, 2024, after a seven-man panel led by Justice S.A. Omonua (retd.) found him guilty of perjury and leaking government secrets. Eighteen out of 19 lawmakers voted for his removal, while one abstained.
However, the Federal High Court in Abuja later faulted the impeachment, a ruling which the Assembly appealed and which was eventually set aside by the Court of Appeal.
Shaibu had returned to the courts, this time seeking massive compensation for what he describes as unpaid entitlements during his sack and his two terms in office.
Speaking with Naijaonpoint correspondent on Monday, Shaibu’s Media Aide, Ben Ogbemudia, distanced the former Deputy Governor from the allegations.
Ogbemudia questioned if Shaibu works with the Edo State government, wondering in what way he is colluding to loot the state treasury.
Responding to Naijaonpoint message, he wrote: “My brother, is Comrade Philip Shaibu working with Edo State government?
“In what Way is he colluding with the state Governor or government to loot the state money.
“Please, I advised you to get your facts right in order to avoid litigation. My ten kobo advice. You, am a journalist. And Philip Shaibu is an activist. He fights to the end.”(Sic)
Naijaonpoint reports that Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okpebholo, is yet to respond to the allegations as at the time of this publication.
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