The Shaibu impeachment panel will convene on April 3

The Edo State House of Assembly accused state Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu of wrongdoing, and on April 3 the panel headed by Chief Judge Daniel Okungbowa of Edo State would hold its first meeting in the Judges Conference Room of the New High Court Complex in Benin.

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 through substitution (by printing the letter in three national dailies) because it became apparent that the notice could not be delivered physically.

The impeachment process is thought to be the most recent step in the conflict between Shaibu and Governor Godwin Obaseki, his principal, which allegedly began when Shaibu announced his intention to run for Edo governor this year.

On March 22, the Chief Judge assembled a panel of seven members; but, on Monday, he removed two of them, Profs. Violet Aigbokhaebo and Boniface Onomion Edegbai.

Justice S.A. Omonua (retd.) is the panel’s chairperson. Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu, Dr. Andrew Oliha, Idris Abdulkareen, President Aigbokhian, Professor Theresa Akpoghome, and Mariam Erakhoba Ilavbare round up the group of members.

A statement signed by the administrative secretary of the panel, George Odidi, on Thursday read, “Take notice that consequent upon 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 commence sitting at Judges Conference room, New High Court Complex, Benin City on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at 10am prompt.

“Parties and/or their counsel are expected to be present on that day while the complainant is expected to be ready to present its case on that day.”