Rt. Hon. (Chief) Blessing Sheriff Agbebaku, the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, has initiated a defamation and libel lawsuit against the impeached Deputy Governor, Shaibu Philip.
The legal action comes in response to allegations made by Shaibu during an interview with Arise TV on July 19, 2024, where he accused Agbebaku of hosting a meeting to plan the violence that broke out at Benin Airport on July 18, 2024.
In a statement released to Truthlive News on Saturday, Agbebaku firmly denied the accusations, labeling them as “mischievous, malicious, and indicting.”
He clarified his position by stating that he was not even in the state at the time of the alleged meeting. “I was attending a seminar out of the state and left Benin City at 10:00 AM on July 18,” he explained.
Agbebaku stressed that he holds no personal animosity towards Shaibu and that the actions taken by the 8th Assembly, which led to Shaibu’s impeachment, were strictly in line with their constitutional duties.
“I have no personal issue or grudge against the former Deputy Governor. The 8th Assembly only carried out its constitutional duty,” he stated.
The speaker further urged the public and his supporters to remain calm and allow the legal process to unfold. “I plead with my supporters and citizens of Edo State to remain calm and law-abiding and allow the law to take its course,” he added.