Assembly directs CJ to set up impeachment panel against Shaibu

The Edo State House of Assembly has directed the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to set up a seven-man committee to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct against the state deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu.

The directive followed the resolution passed by the house during plenary. 19 out of the 24 members voted in favour of the resolution.

The house Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, had earlier informed the house that the seven-day ultimatum given to the deputy governor to respond to the impeachment notice served on him had expired.

According to him, the impeachment notice was earlier served on the deputy governor on March 6, 2024 but due to alleged evasion of service, the house, however, ordered for substituted service.

He said the substituted service were published in the state-owned newspaper, the Observer Newspaper and the Vanguard newspaper respectively.

The House Majority Leader, Charity Aiguobarueghan, in his motion seconded by Nicholas Asonsere, representing Ikpoba Okha constituency, moved that the House should direct the Chief Judge to set up seven-man committee to investigate the petition against the deputy governor.

He said the motion was in line with section 188 subsection 3 and 4 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

According to him, the failure of the deputy governor to respond to the petition at the stipulated times was also in conformity with the provision of section 188 sub section 3, which states that “whether he respond or not the house has a duty to perform”.

“I am, therefore, moving a motion in pursuant to section 188 subsection 3 and 4 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that is designed not to be argued.”

“That the notice served on the deputy governor alleging gross misconduct to be sent for investigations and that the speaker caused the Chief judge of the State to set up a seven-man committee to look at the allegations and report its findings to this house as soon as possible”, he said.

In a voice vote of the house, 19 members out of 24 voted in support of the motion.

The Speaker however directed the chief judge to set up a seven-man committee to investigate the petition against the deputy governor.

Shaibu and Governor Godwin Obaseki fell out over the former’s move to succeed the governor.