Impeachment Panel Begins Sitting April 3 For Shaibu

Comrade Philip Shaibu

THE state House of Assembly began the impeachment process of Comrade Philip Shaibu, the embattled deputy governor of Edo State, penultimate week. Yesterday, the seven-member panel, led by state Chief Judge (CJ) Justice Daniel Okungbowa, announced its meeting.

The panel decided to convene its meeting on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at the Judges Conference Room, New High Court Complex, Benin, by 10:00 a.m., according to a news release the panel sent out.

In a statement approved by George Odidi, the administrative secretary of the panel, all parties were ordered to appear in person on the specified date, and the Edo State House Assembly, the complainant, was requested “to be ready to present its case on that day.”

The statement that is headlined “Press Release Panel to Investigate Allegation of Misconduct of His Excellency the Deputy Governor of Edo State” is written as follows: “Take notice that consequent upon the inauguration of the above panel by His Lordship the Hon. Chief Judge of Edo State, Hon. Justice D.I. 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 3º day of April, 2024 at 10:00Am 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.”

MON DIARIES reported On Friday, March 22, 2024, the Edo CJ established a seven-member panel chaired by Justice S.A. Omonuwa (rtd) to look into the accusations made by Shaibu. This was done as part of the steps taken by the legislature to impeach the deputy governor. The group, dubbed the “Committee of Seven Wise Men” in political parlance, was established by a statement bearing reference number CR/4837/Vol. I/131, which was approved by Mr. B. O. Osawaru, Chief Registrar of the Edo State High Court.

Professors Violet Aigbokhaebo, Boniface Onomion Edegbai, Theresa Akpoghome, Mr. Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu, Surv. Dr. Andrew Oliha, and Mr. Idris Abdulkareen are among the other members of the panel, according to the Chief Registrar's statement introducing the committee. The Chief Registrar also stated that the CJ was acting in accordance with the powers granted to him by “Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).”

However, the Chief Registrar also made public a list of the panel members that had been reviewed on Monday, March 25, 2024. The new list featured President Aigbokhian and Mariam Erakhoba Ilavbare in place of Professors Violet Aigbokhaebo and Boniface Onomion Edegbai. The earlier reported dismissal of the two academics was made without explanation.

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