The FCT Police Command has been directed to investigate the direct criminal complaint filed by a former Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon Philip Shaibu, against Omobayo Marvelous.

Marvelous was purportedly appointed the deputy governor of the state.

The directive was given by a Magistrate Court sitting in Wuse Zone II, Abuja.

According to a letter to the FCT Police Commissioner stamped received on November 27, 2025, the Magistrate A.I Tukur said parties will be available before the commissioner to enable his office conduct the investigation.

The letter reads in part, “The report of your investigation is expected within two weeks from the date of the receipt of this letter. Attached is a photocopy of the direct criminal complaint for your perusal.”

The court’s directive followed a direct criminal complaint Shaibu filed against Marvelous.

In the application marked CR/1058/2025 filed on November 27 by Shaibu’s counsel, Reuben Egwuaba, the former governor prayed the court to cause a criminal summons to be issued against the defendant at his instance.

Shaibu hinged his application on the judgement of Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/478/2024 delivered on July 17, wherein his wrongful impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly was declared null, void and of no effect for violating the provisions of Section 188(1)-(9) of the 1999 Constitution.

He said, Omotosho, in the said judgement gave a consequential order that, the plaintiff (Shaibu) is entitled to all salaries, allowances and fringe benefits accruing to the office of the deputy governor of Edo State from April 8, 2024 till the date of the judgment and till the end of his tenure in office as the deputy governor of Edo State.

“That on the 18th July, 2024 a day after the judgment was delivered, when RT. Hon. Philip Shaibu was on his way to resume office in Edo state, immediately the complainant dropped at the airport in Edo State, the defendant sent hoodlums and they were shooting non-stop for two hours. The said act caused the complainant to fear for his life and safety, forcing him to flee from the airport immediately.

“The defendant’s conduct constitutes the offence of threat to life, contrary to and punishable under Section 397 of the Penal Code Act. Hence the reason for this Direct Criminal Complaint” he said, adding that, the defendant has been receiving salaries despite the court judgment.

Shaibu said, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 during the Fourth Forum of the Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria held in Abuja, the defendant, at about 12:40 pm committed an offence of impersonation after Omotosho’s judgment.

He said, the action of the defendant at the meeting amount to criminal contempt against public justice, in violation of Section 406 of the Penal Code which criminalises disobedience to lawful orders of a court.

Subsequent to the said judgment, Shaibu said, the defendant purportedly assumed, or was appointed to the office of deputy governor of Edo State on 8th April 2024, “or continued in office after the judgment without lawful authority, such that his continued holding of the office after the judgment constitutes a fraudulent usurpation of public office, misrepresentation and abuse of public trust.

He further stated that, on the said 28th October 2025, the defendant did knowingly and willfully represent himself to individuals, agencies and/or the public as duly holding the office of deputy governor of Edo State, despite the fact that the complainant’s removal had been declared unlawful by the court and the complainant remained entitled to the office.

“In doing so, the defendant sought to derive the privileges, emoluments, security arrangements and authority attendant on the office.

“By so doing, the defendant committed the offences of false representation or impersonation of a public officer, which attracts a penalty of three years imprisonment and fine; unlawful exercise of public functions, contrary to Section 311 and 315 of the Penal code and obstruction of justice, or contempt of court order, by continuing to hold office and act in that capacity, despite the court’s judgment contrary to Section 406 of the Penal Code.

“That the defendant’s actions have caused the complainant injury to his legal rights, reputational harm, denial of his lawful office and attendant privileges, and undermined the rule of law and democratic governance.

“The complainant has gotten judgment in his favour at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja before Justice Omotosho and it is in the interest of justice that this Court treats this as a direct criminal complaint”, he said.

The complainant prays the court to issue a summons against the defendant commanding him to appear before the court to answer to the complaint and that, the defendant be prosecuted for the offences of false representation/impersonation of a public officer, abuse of public office/trust and obstruction of justice and if found guilty, be convicted and punished according to law.

He equally asked for an order of forfeiture or recovery of any public emoluments, benefits or privileges derived by the defendant in the period he unlawfully held or purported to hold the office of deputy governor.