Edo State’s Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, has established a seven-member panel to investigate the allegations leveled against the state’s deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, by the State House of Assembly.
A statement issued by the Registrar of the Edo State Judiciary, Benson Osagie Osawaru, dated March 22, 2024, and referenced as CR/4837/Vol. II/131, was observed on Saturday morning.
“This is to bring to the notice of the general public that, in line with Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Honourable Chief Judge of Edo State, Honourable Justice D.I. Okungbowa, has constituted the PANEL OF SEVEN PERSONS to investigate the allegations contained in the impeachment notice against the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Honourable Philip Shaibu.
“The Panel of Seven Persons is chaired by Hon.Justice S.A. Omonua (Rtd.), while other members are Professor Violet Aigbokhaevbo, Professor Boniface Onomion Edegbai, Professor Theresa Akpoghome, Mr. Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu, Surv. Dr Andrew Oliha, and Mr Idris Abdulkareen.”
On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, the Edo State House of Assembly passed a resolution with 19 out of 24 members, directing the Chief Judge to form a seven-member panel to investigate Shaibu.
On the same day, Shaibu took legal action by filing an ex-parte motion at an Abuja Federal High Court, seeking to restrain the assembly, the Chief Judge, and Governor Godwin Obaseki from further action on the impeachment process until the substantive matter was resolved by the court.
The motion, dated and filed on March 18, was submitted by Shaibu’s lawyer, Professor Oladoyin Awoyale, who also included the Edo State Government, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Assembly’s Clerk, the Director-General of the Department of State Security (DSS), and the Inspector General of Police as respondents.
Justice James Omotoso presided over the court proceedings and declined Shaibu’s request. Instead, he ordered all parties to be notified and granted the request for substituted service. The case was adjourned to April 15, 2024.