Edo State Assembly Claims Philip Shaibu, Deputy Gov. Of The State Committed Perjury And Divulged Government Secrets

Philip Shaibu

THE Edo State State House of The State House of Assembly of Edo State has provided an explanation of how deputy governor Philip Shaibu reportedly committed impeachable offenses by leaking government secrets and lying under oath.

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.

According to the Assembly, Shaibu was accused of dishonesty and leaking government secrets in a petition that served as the basis for the impeachment process.

According to the Assembly, Shaibu was accused of dishonesty and exposing government secrets in a petition that served as the basis for the impeachment process.

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

Since 2023, when Shaibu announced his intention to run for Edo governor in 2024, there has been a falling out between the deputy governor and his principal.

As he presented the Assembly case, the Deputy Clerk said that in an affidavit he submitted in favor of an Abuja litigation, Shaibu had disclosed state secrets.

Shaibu produced documentation about the meeting of the State Executive Council, he claimed.

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.

Prof. Oladoyin Awoyale (SAN), Shaibu's attorney, had previously left the session when the panel turned down his request to halt the proceedings.

In his petition, Awoyale pleaded with the panel to put a stop to the impeachment process while Shaibu's lawsuit before the Federal High Court in Abuja is being resolved.

He informed the panel that Shaibu had requested an interlocutory order to stop the impeachment process, and that the Abuja court had set April 8 as the deadline for the parties to appear and provide justification.

The Deputy Clerk, however, objected to the prayer, arguing that the House of Assembly and the seven-member panel could not be prevented from carrying out their constitutional responsibilities by any court under Section 188 (10) of the 1999 Constitution.

Ohiafi stated that in order for the panel to support Shaibu's position, the lawyer for Shaibu must persuade them that the constitutional provision has been changed.

Justice Omonuwa, the panel chairman, sided with Ohiafi in his decision.

The retired judge clarified that the request for the parties to provide justification did not constitute a directive to suspend the impeachment process.

Judge Omonuwa invited the House of Assembly to present its argument before stating that the panel would proceed with the procedures.

Awoyale requested the panel's permission to be excused after informing the panel that his client would not be able to continue to cooperate in the investigation in response to the verdict.

The SAN declined to say when asked if he was giving up his right to represent his client, emphasizing that all parties must abide by the court's ruling and show cause by appearing in person.

When further questioned about whether he was undermining the panel's decision, Awoyale responded negatively once more and reaffirmed the necessity of obeying the court, which would convene on Monday, April 8, 2024.