Shaibu Impeachment: Edo Chief Judge Sets Up Panel

Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, has set up a seven-man investigation committee.

This followed receipt of correspondence from the Edo State House of Assembly notifying him of impeachment processing against Edo State deputy governor, Philip Shaibu.

On March 19, 2024, through a resolution passed by 19 out of the 24 members, the Edo State House of Assembly had directed the Chief Judge to constitute a seven-man panel to investigate Shaibu.

The seven-man committee will be investigating the alleged constitutional infractions against Shaibu.

In a statement by the Registrar of the Edo State Judiciary, Benson Osagie Osawaru,  said the panel is chaired by Justice S.A. Omonua, rtd.

The statement, dated March 22, 2024, with reference number CR/4837/Vol. II/131, listed names of other members of the committee.

They included; Professor Violet Aigbokhaevbo, Professor Boniface Onomion Edegbai, Professor Theresa Akpoghome, Mr Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu, Dr Andrew Oliha and Mr Idris Abdulkareen.

“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 Chief Judge of Edo State, 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, Philip Shaibu.”

In the wake of the proceedings of impeachment notice, Shaibu had approached an Abuja Federal High Court on the same day.

He had asked the court, through an ex-parte motion, to restrain the assembly, the CJ and his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, from taking further action on the impeachment process pending the determination of the substantive matter before the court.

In the motion dated and filed on March 18, the deputy governor, through his lawyer, Professor Oladoyin Awoyale, also joined the Edo State Government, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Clerk of the Assembly, the Director General of the Department of State Security, DSS, and the Inspector General of Police

Though the court, presided over by Justice James Omotoso, did not grant Shaibu’s request, it said all parties be put on notice.

While adjourning the matter to April 15, 2024, the court granted the request that the parties be served by substituted means