The former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has sent a letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, to request a form for filing a formal complaint against the state Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.
Shaibu was removed from office on Monday by the state House of Assembly, after accepting the report of a seven-person panel established by the state's Chief Judge.
The panel that led to Shaibu's removal had looked into accusations of wrongdoing and lying made by the state House of Assembly against the former deputy governor.
However, Shaibu, in a letter from the Chambers of B.I. Dakum and Co, dated April 8, 2024, asked the CJN, who also serves as the Chairman of the National Judicial Council, for permission to obtain a complaint form in order to file a formal complaint against Okungbowa.
The letter, signed by Adaze A. Emwanta, a former Commissioner for Information and Orientation to Governor Godwin Obaseki, aims to initiate a complaint for abuse of office, official misconduct, and violation of oath of office by the Edo Chief Judge.
Emwanta also stated that the purpose of the letter was to officially request a complaint form as specified in the Judicial Discipline Regulations 2017 to enable his client to file his complaint against the state Chief Judge.
The letter titled “Re: Notice to obtain a complaint form to file a formal complaint against Hon Justice Daniel Okungbowa, the Chief Judge of Edo State for abuse of office, official misconduct and desecrating his oath of office,” reads in part, “We write as Solicitors to Rt Hon. Philip Shaibu, who until this morning was Deputy Governor of Edo State.
“Rt Hon Philip Shaibu has instructed us to file a formal complaint to your council against Hon Justice Daniel Okungbowa, the Chief Judge of Edo State for abuse of office, official misconduct and desecration of his oath of office.
“The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to formally request a complaint form prescribed under the Judicial Discipline Regulations 2017 to enable our client to file his complaint against the subject Judge.
