By Raphael Okhiria
The Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, on Friday constituted a seven-member panel to investigate the allegations contained in the impeachment notice against Edo State deputy governor, RT . Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu..
The Edo State lawmakers had on Tuesday mandated Justice Okungbowa to set up a seven-man committee to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct brought against him.
The panel, which is in accordance with section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), is headed by retired Justice S. A Omonua. Other members of the investigative panel included Prof. Violet Aigbokhaevo, Prof. Boniface Onomion Edegbai, Prof. Theresa Akpoghome, Mr. Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu, Dr. Andrew Oliha and Mr. Idris Abdulkareem
A press statement signed by the Chief Registrar of Edo State High Court, Benin City, said the panel is to investigate the allegations contained in the impeachment notice brought against the state deputy governor by the state house of assembly.
The state assembly had cited perjury and disclosure of government official secrets as reasons for wanting the embattled deputy governor removed from office.
Majority Leader of the House, Mr. Charity Aiguobarueghian had on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, during plenary announced that 21 out of the 24 members of the Edo State House of Assembly had signed an impeachment notice against Comrade Shaibu.
But in a spirited effort to stop the impeachment proceedings, Comrade Shaibu, had approached a federal high court in Abuja, to restrain the state house of assembly from impeaching him but Justice Omotosho declined the request.
Shaibu had filed an ex-parte motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/321/2024, seeking an order of the court restraining the state House of Assembly, the Speaker and the Clerk from commencing any process by holding proceedings or setting up any panel of investigation for his removal, pending the hearing of a motion on notice.
However, Justice James Omotosho, in his ruling on March 13, refused to grant the application.
But furing the proceedings on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, Shaibu, through his lawyer, Prof Olawoyin Awoyale, (SAN), requested for an order of status quo to be maintained by parties pending the hearing and determination of his motion on notice.
Again, Justice Omotosho declined the request.
He said, “The governor of Edo State and the Edo State House of Assembly who are the principal actors in the matter have not been served with the originating summons of the suit as required by law.”
The judge, however granted the application by the deputy governor seeking to serve the process on the Edo State Governor and the state House of Assembly by substituted means.
Justice Omotosho, also ordered that the court process be pasted at the entrance of the Edo State Government House and the gate of the state House of Assembly Complex in Benin City.
The judge further directed that all court papers be served on parties in the matter with the use of a registered courier company.
He subsequently adjourned the matter till April 15, 2024 for hearing.
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