The Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, has set up a team of seven people to examine the accusations against the state deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, made by the state House of Assembly.
This is part of the steps started by the assembly to remove the deputy governor.
The panel was formed on Friday through a statement, with reference number: CR/4837 /Vol. I/131, approved by the Chief Registrar of the Edo State High Court, B. O. Osawaru.
As per the statement, the panel is led by a retired justice, Justice S.A. Omonua.
In the statement, the Chief Registrar expressed that the CJ was acting according to the powers given to him by Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution.
The statement mentioned, “This is to inform the public that in accordance with Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Honourable Chief Judge of Edo State, Honourable Justice D. I. Okungbowa, has established the panel of seven individuals to investigate the claims in the impeachment notice against the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu.
“The said panel of seven individuals is comprised of the following persons: 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 and Idris Abdulkareen- member.
The Edo State House of Assembly, it would be recalled, had on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, through a resolution passed by 19 out of the 24 members, told the CJ to set up a seven-man panel to investigate Shaibu.
The same day, Shaibu approached an Abuja Federal High Court, asking the court, through an ex-parte motion, to stop the assembly, the CJ and his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, from taking further action on the impeachment process until the court makes a decision on the main issue before it.
In the motion dated and filed on March 18, the deputy governor, through his lawyer, Prof Oladoyin Awoyale, also included 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 the Police
The court, led by Justice James Omotoso, however, rejected the request, stating that all parties should be notified, but approved the request that the parties be served by alternative methods. It postponed the matter to April 15, 2024.