Edo State Chief Judge Sets Up Panel to Probe Deputy Governor Shaibu Amid Impeachment Proceedings
Written by Deborah Oyinloye on March 23, 2024
The Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, has established a seven-member panel to investigate the allegations brought against the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, by the state’s House of Assembly. This action is in line with the assembly’s impeachment process against Shaibu.
The constitution of the panel was announced on Friday through an official statement with reference number: CR/4837 /Vol. I/131, issued by the Chief Registrar of the Edo State High Court, B. O. Osawaru. The panel will be chaired by retired Justice S.A. Omonua.
Regarding the constitution of the panel, the Chief Registrar stated, “This is to bring to the notice of the general public that in line with Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Honourable Chief Judge of Edo State has constituted the panel of seven persons to investigate the allegations contained in the impeachment notice against the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu.”
The statement outlined the composition of the panel, which includes legal professionals and academics:
– Hon. Justice S.A. Omonua (retd.) – Chairman
– Professor Violet Aigbokhaebo – Member
– Professor Boniface Onomion Edegbai – Member
– Professor Theresa Akpoghome – Member
– Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu – Member
– Andrew Oliha – Member
– Idris Abdulkareen – Member
On March 19, 2024, the Edo State House of Assembly passed a resolution, supported by 19 out of 24 members, directing the Chief Judge to constitute a panel to investigate the allegations against Shaibu. Concurrently, Deputy Governor Shaibu filed an ex-parte motion at the Abuja Federal High Court seeking to halt the impeachment process. He requested the court to restrain the assembly, the Chief Judge, Governor Godwin Obaseki, and other parties involved from proceeding with the impeachment until the substantive matter was determined.
Shaibu’s legal representative, Prof Oladoyin Awoyale, joined the Edo State Government, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Clerk of the Assembly, the Director-General of the Department of State Security, and the Inspector General of Police in the motion. Justice James Omotoso presided over the case and declined to grant the ex-parte motion. Instead, the court ordered that all parties be served through substituted means. The matter has been adjourned to April 15, 2024, for further hearing.
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Author: Deborah Oyinloye
With an interest in media, Deborah aims to impart the lives of people positively.
