The Edo State House of Assembly has instructed Justice Daniel Okungbowa, the state’s Chief Judge, to establish a seven-member panel to probe the accusations against the Deputy Governor of the state, Ry Philip Shaibu.
The state assembly has accused the deputy governor of misconduct and of disclosing government information to the public.
The panel is tasked with conducting a thorough investigation into these allegations and providing appropriate recommendations.
The brief session was chaired by the Speaker, RT Hon Blessing Agbebaku.
Earlier this month, the Edo State House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against Shaibu, alleging constitutional violations.
However, Shaibu refuted claims by the Speaker, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, during the plenary session, stating that he had not received any impeachment notice from the state House of Assembly.
Due to the House’s inability to physically serve Shaibu, the Speaker explained that a substitute service was conducted through a newspaper advertisement.
In a letter dated March 12, 2024, addressed to the Speaker and titled “RE: Service of Impeachment Notice,” signed by the Deputy Governor’s Personal Assistant, Charles Olubayo, Shaibu denied ever receiving any such letter and refused to accept it.
Shaibu’s absence from the state since March 3 was cited as the reason for not being served with the notice as claimed during the plenary session.
His supporters, however, believe that he is being persecuted because he is interested to succeed his boss in office, Gov Godwin Obaseki.
Shaibu emerged as the governorship candidate in a parallel primary election held on February 22, 2024.