The Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, has constituted a seven-man panel to investigate the allegations levelled against the state Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, by the State House of Assembly. This is part of the processes initiated by the assembly to impeach the Deputy Governor.
The panel, which was constituted on Friday via a statement with reference number CR/4837 /Vol. I/131, endorsed by the Chief Registrar of the Edo State High Court, B. O. Osawaru, is headed by a retired justice, Justice S.A. Omonua.
In a statement, the Chief Registrar stated that the Chief Judge was acting in accordance with the powers vested in him by Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution.
The Edo State House of Assembly had passed a resolution on Tuesday, March 19, directing the Chief Judge to constitute a seven-man panel to investigate Shaibu following allegations against him.
In response, Shaibu approached an Abuja Federal High Court seeking to restrain the assembly, the Chief Judge, and Governor Godwin Obaseki from taking further action on the impeachment process pending the determination of the substantive matter before the court. However, the court rejected the request and adjourned the matter to April 15, 2024.
The panel is comprised of Justice S.A. Omonua as Chairman, along with members Professor Violet Aigbokhaebo, Professor Boniface Onomion Edegbai, Professor Theresa Akpoghome, Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu, Andrew Oliha, and Idris Abdulkareen.
