Philip Shaibu impeachment: Edo Assembly urges CJ to set up panel to probe allegations

The Edo State House of Assembly has passed a resolution directing the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to establish a seven-man committee to investigate allegations of gross misconduct leveled against the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu.

Recall that the House passed the resolution during plenary on Tuesday.

Nineteen out of the 24 members of the House voted in favor of the resolution.

Earlier, the Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, informed the House that the seven-day ultimatum granted to the deputy governor to respond to the impeachment notice served on him had expired.

Agbebaku stated that the impeachment notice was served on the deputy governor on March 6, 2024, but due to alleged evasion of service, the House ordered that he be served through substituted means.

He mentioned that the substituted service was published in the state-owned newspaper The Observer and the Vanguard Newspaper on March 12, 2024.

According to him, the notice expired on March 19.

In a motion, the Majority Leader, Charity Aiguobarueghan, proposed that the Chief Judge be directed to establish a seven-man committee to investigate the petition against the deputy governor.

Aiguobarueghan argued that the motion was in line with Section 188, Sub-sections 3 and 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He noted that the failure of the deputy governor to respond to the petition within the stipulated time was not a hindrance, as Section 188, Sub-section 3, clearly stated that “whether he responds or not, the House has a duty to perform.”

“That duty was bestowed by Section 188, Sub-section 3 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which requires a motion to be moved, resolving that if these allegations are not denied, they are worthy of investigation.

“I am, therefore, moving a motion pursuant to Section 188, Sub-sections 3 and 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which is designed not to be debated.

“That the notice served on the deputy governor alleging gross misconduct be sent for investigation, and that the Speaker instruct the Chief Judge of the state to establish a seven-man committee to examine the allegations and report its findings to this House as soon as possible,” he stated.

In a voice vote, 19 members supported the motion, which constituted more than two-thirds of the House.

The Speaker subsequently instructed the Chief Judge to establish a seven-man committee to investigate the petition against the deputy governor.