The Edo Assembly orders the CJ to look into Shaibu's allegations

On Tuesday, the Edo State House of Assembly passed a resolution ordering Justice Daniel Okungbowa, the Chief Judge of the State, to form a seven-member committee to look into the charges of serious misconduct made against Philip Shaibu, the deputy governor.

Nineteen of the twenty-four members present voted in favor of the proposal in the plenary.

On March 5, the House of Assembly began the impeachment process against Shaibu, alleging that he had leaked official secrets and committed perjury.

However, since he was allegedly out of the state, all attempts to serve him with the impeachment notice were unsuccessful.

The House served him the notice on March 12 by substitution (by publishing the letter in three national dailies) because it became apparent that the notice could not be delivered physically.

The newest move in the conflict between Shaibu and Governor Godwin Obaseki, his principal, is reportedly the impeachment move.

Since Shaibu announced his intention to run for Edo governor this year, there had been an uneasiness in the relationship between the deputy governor and his principal.

The deputy governor was given seven days to react to the notice of impeachment that was placed on him, but that time has already passed, Speaker of the House Blessing Agbebaku had earlier informed his colleagues.

Agbebaku stated that although the deputy governor had previously received the impeachment notification on March 6, 2024, the House had substituted service because of the purported lack of service.

He stated that the announcement was printed in the Vanguard on March 12, 2024, and that it was seven days later on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.

Charity Aiguobarueghan, the majority leader of the house, proposed that the chief judge be instructed to form a seven-member committee to look into the petition against the deputy governor. Nicholas Asonsere, who represents the Ikpoba Okha constituency, seconded the motion.

Aiguobarueghan said that the motion complied with the constitution’s Section 188 Subsections 3 and 4.

He pointed out that the deputy’s refusal to reply to the petition within the allotted time frames was also in accordance with Section 188 Subsection 3, which made it very plain that “whether he respond or not the House has a duty to perform.”

According to Section 188 Subsection 3 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s constitution, it is required that a motion be made when an allegation is not refuted and that it be the subject of an investigation. This was the second thing he said.

Therefore, I am making a move that is intended to be heard without argument in accordance with Section 188 Subsections 3 and 4 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s constitution.

“That the speaker ordered the Chief Judge of the state to form a seven-member committee to examine the claims and report its findings to this House as soon as possible, and that the notice serves on the deputy governor alleging gross misconduct to be sent for investigations.”

The measure received the votes of nineteen House members in favor.

The top judge was instructed by the Speaker of the House to form a seven-member committee to look into the petition against the deputy governor.