According to reports from PUNCH, officials from the Edo State Network and members of the Public Works Volunteers conducted the demolition of the security post located at the former residence of Philip Shaibu, the ousted deputy governor, situated in the Government Reservation Area (GRA) of Benin City.
Philip Shaibu faced impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly just last week, accused of leaking official secrets and committing perjury.
His removal followed the review of a report submitted by a seven-member panel assembled by the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.
Governor Godwin Obaseki swiftly appointed Marvellous Omobayo as the new deputy governor following Shaibu’s impeachment.
However, Shaibu has strongly contested his removal, challenging it in court on the grounds of alleged persecution for expressing his right to aspire to succeed his former boss.
The recent demolition targeted the security post positioned adjacent to the golf course and served as a gathering point for Shaibu’s security personnel.
A senior official involved in the exercise, speaking anonymously, justified the removal by citing Shaibu’s transition to private citizenship, effectively losing entitlement to such facilities.
Eta Uzamere, the State Commissioner for Roads and Bridges, disassociated his ministry from the demolition, refuting claims linking his department to the action.
“I have seen some online reports linking my ministry to the demolition of the former deputy governor’s security post and I can tell you it had nothing to do with my ministry,” he stated.
In response to the demolition, an aide to Shaibu voiced disappointment, highlighting that the security post was privately constructed by Shaibu himself. “As I am talking to you, they have destroyed Shaibu’s security outpost.
The place was not built by the government; it was built by Shaibu himself. You can see how wicked the state government is,” lamented the aide.
