Deputy Governor Of The State Philip Shaibu Impeached By The Edo Assembly

Philip Shaibu

PHILIP Shaibu, the deputy governor of Edo State, has been impeached by the House of Assembly.

Shaibu was accused of leaking state government secrets and of perjury, both of which the Assembly had previously stated were crimes that may lead to his impeachment.

Deputy Clerk Joe Ohaifa made the case for the Assembly during the first meeting of the seven-member panel investigating Shaibu.

The panel, led by retired Justice S.A. Omonuwa, was created by Edo State Chief Judge Justice Daniel Okungbowa at the state Assembly's request. On March 5, the Assembly began the impeachment process against the deputy governor.

The Assembly stated that Shaibu was accused of dishonesty and disclosing government secrets in a petition that served as the basis for the impeachment process.

Shaibu's announcement in 2023 that he would like to run for Edo governor in 2024 caused a split between the deputy governor and his principal.

In presenting the Assembly case, the Deputy Clerk claimed that Shaibu had disclosed state secrets in the affidavit he had submitted in support of an Abuja litigation.

He claimed that Philip Shaibu provided records about the meeting of the State Executive Council.

Ohaifa continued, saying that Shaibu had behaved in violation of Schedule 7 of the 1999 Constitution as well as the oath he had taken to maintain secrecy.

The panel postponed until Thursday, April 4, so that Shaibu may present his defense after considering the Assembly's argument.

Shaibu had also failed in his attempt to prevent the state House of Assembly from impeaching him.

Shaibu filed an ex-parte plea asking the Federal High Court in Abuja to grant a temporary order stopping the impeachment process, but Justice James Omotoso denied it.

The deputy governor filed a lawsuit and requested a court order prohibiting the third through fifth defendants from initiating legal action or forming a panel of inquiry in order to remove him, while a motion on notice was being heard.