The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, did not show up before the seven-man panel that investigated accusations of lying under oath and disclosing the government’s confidential information against him.
The retired Justice S. A. Omonuwa-led panel, which started on Wednesday in Benin, the state capital, concluded its session on Friday without Shaibu or his lawyer appearing.
The panel had adjourned until Thursday for Shaibu to present his defense, but he did not arrive. He was then given until Friday to come and defend the allegation against him, which he did not do.
The Edo State House of Assembly, which is the accuser in the case, had presented and closed its case on Wednesday, allowing Shaibu to defend the allegations against him.
Shaibu’s lawyer, Oladoyin Awoyale, was present on the opening day but left during the hearing after the panel denied his request to halt the proceedings while a lawsuit filed in Abuja by Shaibu challenging the impeachment was ongoing.
Omonuwa supported the opposition to the request to halt the proceedings by the Assembly, represented by its Deputy Clerk, Joe Ohiafi.
After Awoyale left, Ohiafi presented the Assembly’s case against Shaibu.
In his presentation, the Deputy Clerk informed the panel that Shaibu disclosed the state government’s confidential information in the affidavit he filed in support of his lawsuit in Abuja.
He stated that Shaibu submitted documents related to the State Executive Council’s meeting.
According to Ohiafi, Shaibu violated the Oath of Secrecy he took and acted against the provisions of Schedule 7 of the 1999 Constitution.
At Friday’s session, the assembly was represented by its Legal Officer, N.U. Ibrahim, accompanied by two others.
Responding to the situation, the chairman of the panel said, “The panel adjourned sitting for the last time until today (Friday) to allow the respondent to defend himself.
“The panel shall retire to write its report as required by the constitution.”
