Impeachment: Edo CJ forms a panel to investigate Shaibu

A seven-member panel has been appointed by Justice Daniel Okungbowa, the chief judge of Edo State, to look into the accusations made by the state House of Assembly against Philip Shaibu, the deputy governor.

This is a step in the procedures the legislature started to remove the deputy governor from office.

The panel was established on Friday by a statement signed by B. O. Osawaru, Chief Registrar of the Edo State High Court, and bearing reference number CR/4837 /Vol. I/131.

The announcement states that judge S.A. Omonua, a retired judge, is in charge of the panel.

The Chief Registrar said in the statement that the CJ was operating within the authority granted to him by Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution.

The statement read, “This is to bring to the notice of the general public that in line 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 constituted the panel of seven persons to investigate the allegations contained in the impeachment notice against the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu.

“The said panel of seven persons 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.”

Recall that on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, the Edo State House of Assembly instructed the CJ to form a seven-member panel to look into Shaibu. This motion was approved by 19 of the 24 members.

Shaibu appeared before an Abuja Federal High Court on the same day, requesting through an ex-parte motion that the court halt the assembly, the Chief Justice (CJ), and his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, from proceeding with the impeachment process until the court had resolved the substantive issue at hand.

The deputy governor joined 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 Police in the motion dated and filed on March 18 through his attorney, Prof. Oladoyin Awoyale.

However, the court, chaired by Justice James Omotoso, denied the plea, urging that the parties be served by alternative ways instead of being notified of their rights. The case was postponed until April 15, 2024.