Officials from the Edo State State Network, accompanied by members of the Public Works Volunteers, demolished the security post in front of the residence of former deputy governor Philip Shaibu in Benin’s Government Reservation Area on Sunday.
Shaibu was impeached by the Edo State House of Assembly last Monday over allegations of leaking official secrets and perjury, following the consideration of a report by a seven-man panel set up by the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.
Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki replaced Shaibu with Marvellous Omobayo after the impeachment.
Shaibu has condemned his impeachment and has approached the court to challenge it, claiming that he is being persecuted for exercising his fundamental human rights by aspiring to succeed his boss.
On Sunday, the situation took a new turn as the security post, which shared a fence with the golf course, was pulled down.
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The post had served as a temporary shelter or first port of call for Shaibu’s security details before and after work.
A senior member of one of the agencies involved in the demolition, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the security post was removed because Shaibu is now a private citizen and has lost such privileges.
However, the state Commissioner for Roads and Bridges, Eta Uzamere, denied his ministry’s involvement in the demolition, stating, “I have seen some online reports linking my ministry to the demolition of the former deputy governor’s security and I can tell you it had nothing to do with my ministry.”
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An aide to Shaibu expressed dismay, stating, “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.”