The retired Justice S.A. Omonuwa’s seven-member group appointed by the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to examine accusations of serious wrongdoing against the deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, concluded that they will carry on with their inquiry as there was no legal order preventing them.
During the ruling, Shaibu’s lawyer, Prof Oladoyin Awoyale (SAN), objected to the continuation of the investigation citing a previous order from an Abuja Federal High Court which postponed the case filed by Shaibu until April 8, 2024, for the involved parties to present their reasons why the court should approve or deny the requests for interim injunction against the impeachment processes.
Justice Omonuwa (retd.) clarified that the Federal High Court in Abuja only instructed the parties to present their reasons.
Ohaifa Joe, the Deputy Clerk, Legal, Edo State House of Assembly, representing the House of Assembly, argued that according to the Constitution, Section 188 (10), no court has the authority to prevent the House of Assembly or the panel from carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.
Ohiafi further argued that Awoyale (SAN) must prove to the panel that the provision of the constitution had been changed for the panel to support his argument.
In his decision, the chairman of the panel, Justice Omonuwa (retd.), stated that the panel would proceed and requested the House of Assembly to present its case.
In response to the ruling, Awoyale informed the panel that his client would not be able to continue participating in the investigation and asked for permission to be excused.
When asked if he was waiving his right to defend his client, the SAN denied it, emphasizing the need to comply with the court's decision to appear before it.
When further questioned if he was rejecting the ruling of the panel, Awoyale (SAN) again answered in the negative and stressed the importance of complying with the court which would be convening on Monday, April 8, 2024.
