The Shaibu impeachment panel to commence sitting on April 3

Commencing April 3, the panel established by Edo State Chief Judge, Daniel Okungbowa, to investigate allegations of misconduct against Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu by the Edo State House of Assembly will convene at the Judges Conference Room in the New High Court Complex in Benin.

Initiated on March 5, the House of Assembly began impeachment proceedings against Shaibu, charging him with perjury and divulging government secrets.

Despite efforts to serve Shaibu the impeachment notice proving unsuccessful due to his absence from the state, the House resorted to serving the notice through publication in three national newspapers.

Seen as a recent development in the strained relationship between Shaibu and Governor Godwin Obaseki, the impeachment action allegedly stemmed from Shaibu’s declaration of interest in contesting in this year’s Edo governorship race.

Formed on March 22 by the Chief Judge, the seven-member panel saw the removal of Prof Violet Aigbokhaebo and Prof Boniface Onomion Edegbai on Monday, with Justice S.A. Omonua (retd.) appointed as chairman, alongside other members such as Professor Theresa Akpoghome, Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu, Dr. Andrew Oliha, Idris Abdulkareen, President Aigbokhian, and Mariam Erakhoba Ilavbare.

On Thursday, a statement signed by the panel’s administrative secretary, George Odidi, announced the following, “Following the inauguration of the above panel by the Hon. Chief Judge of Edo State, Hon. Justice Daniel Okungbowa, in line with Section 188 Subsection 5 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the panel will convene at the Judges Conference room in the New High Court Complex, Benin City on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at 10 am sharp.

“Parties and/or their legal representatives are required to be present on that day, with the complainant expected to present its case on the scheduled date.”