When The PUNCH visited the office on 7 Dennis Osadebey Avenue, GRA, Benin City, the staff members were seen moving into the building inaugurated by a former governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole, to serve as the Edo State Procurement Office.
Some of the staff at the complex refused to answer questions from our reporter but the presence of the plain-clothed security personnel on the premises indicated that Shaibu was expected to move into the building soon.
The security man at the gate only allowed reporters who had Edo Government House tags into the building while others (including The PUNCH reporter) were denied entry.
It was gathered that a memo directing the relocation to the new office was issued last week by the Permanent Secretary, Head of Office to the Permanent Secretary, Deputy Governor’s Office and a reminder was issued over the weekend.
An aide to Shaibu while confirming the development said, “We have been told to move and we have started movement today. The memo was sent directly to the Permanent Secretary. It was a two-paragraph memo from the HoS but the civil servants are the ones moving right now. The letter was sent to the PS, so we are waiting for directives.”
“The civil servants are moving today but we may move before the end of the week”, the aide added.
Our reporter observed that the office is still under renovation while equipment used by the contractor were still on the premises, which is still muddy.
The latest development may have taken many by surprise as Shaibu, last week, withdrew the case he filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, asking the court to stop his alleged impeachment by Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Edo State House of Assembly.
Earlier, a statement issued by Shaibu last week withdrawing the suit said his decision was to respect the intervention of several individuals including religious leaders, prominent Edo indigenes and the traditional institution and also appreciated the governor for agreeing on the peace initiatives.
The statement read: “Re: SUIT NO. FHC/ABJ/CS/1027/2023 Between: – Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu and Inspector General of Police, State Security Service, The Governor of Edo State and The Chief Judge of Edo State.
“Arising from the series of meetings held with me and also with Mr. Governor by well-meaning Edolites and indeed Nigerians including Party Leaders, Traditional Rulers, and my Archbishop, His Grace Most Rev’d Dr. Augustine Akubeze, the Archbishop of Benin Archdiocese on the issues that led to my going to Court on the above-named suit and with due respect to these eminent personalities and leaders whose persuasions and persons | cannot ignore, |, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has authorized and instructed my Solicitors to withdraw the Suit forthwith.
“I wish to sincerely thank and appreciate these well-meaning Nigerians, Party Leaders, Traditional Rulers, and my Archbishop, His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Akubeze for their kind words, advice and encouragement thus far in ensuring peace and unity in our dear State Edo. I also wish to place on record my special thanks to Mr. Governor, my boss and Senior brother for this path of peace.
