By Abimbola Ogunnaike
This indeed not the best of times for the embattled Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu as the seven-man panel set up by the Chief Judge of state, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, began sitting on Wednesday, 3 April, 2024 to investigate the allegation of misconduct leveled against him.
The panel headed by retired Justice S. A. Omonuwa, was set up by Justice Okungbowa following the resolution by the state House of Assembly, which initiated the impeachment process against Shaibu.
At the panel on Wednesday, the House of Assembly was represented by Mr Joe Ohiafi, Deputy Clerk, Legal, just as Shaibu was represented by Prof Oladoyin Awoyale (SAN).
The impeachment process is believed to be the latest development in the conflict between Shaibu and Governor Godwin Obaseki, his principal, which allegedly began when Shaibu announced his intention to run for Edo governor this year.
A statement signed by the administrative secretary of the panel, George Odidi, last Thursday read, “Take notice that consequent upon the inauguration of the above panel by His Lordship the Hon. Chief Judge of Edo State, Hon. Justice Daniel Okungbowa, in line with Section 188 Subsection 5 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, the said panel shall commence sitting at Judges Conference room, New High Court Complex, Benin City on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at 10 am prompt.
“Parties and/or their counsel are expected to be present on that day while the complainant is expected to be ready to present its case on that day.”
