The panel established by Daniel Okungbowa, the Chief Judge of Edo State, to look into the accusation of wrongdoing against the Deputy Governor of the state, Philip Shaibu, by the Edo State House of Assembly, will begin meeting at the Judges Conference Room, New High Court Complex, Benin, on April 3.
The House of Assembly started the process of removing Shaibu on March 5, alleging him of lying under oath and disclosing government information.
However, all attempts to deliver the impeachment notice to him were unsuccessful as he was reportedly not in the state.
When it became obvious that the notice could not be served in person, the House delivered it to him through substitution (by publishing the letter in three national newspapers).
The move to impeach Shaibu is seen as the latest development in the disagreement between Shaibu and his superior, Governor Godwin Obaseki, which reportedly began when Shaibu indicated his desire to enter this year's Edo governorship race.
The Chief Judge formed a seven-man panel on March 22 but removed two members, Prof Violet Aigbokhaebo and Prof Boniface Onomion Edegbai, on Monday.
The panel is headed by Justice S.A. Omonua (retd.), with other members being Professor Theresa Akpoghome, Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu, Dr. Andrew Oliha, Idris Abdulkareen, President Aigbokhian, and Mariam Erakhoba Ilavbare.
A statement from the administrative secretary of the panel, George Odidi, on Thursday stated, “Take notice that following the inauguration of the above panel by His Lordship the Hon. Chief Judge of Edo State, Hon. Justice Daniel Okungbowa, in line with Section 188 Subsection 5 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, the said panel shall start meeting at Judges Conference room, New High Court Complex, Benin City on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at 10am sharp.
“Parties and/or their lawyers are expected to be present on that day while the accuser is expected to be ready to present its case on that day.”
