TWO MEMBERS DROPPED FROM EDO DEPUTY GOVERNOR'S PROBE PANEL

 

The impeachment proceedings against Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, took a new turn as the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, reviewed the panel constituted to probe the allegations against him. 

The State House of Assembly initiated the impeachment proceedings on March 12, citing accusations of perjury and leaking government secrets against Shaibu.

This development is seen as the latest episode in the ongoing feud between Shaibu and his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, who fell out last year after Shaibu declared his intention to become the next governor of Edo State.

The House of Assembly directed the Chief Judge to form a panel to investigate the allegations against Shaibu, and initially, a seven-man panel was constituted for the task, including two professors.

However, in a new list released by the Chief Registrar of the Court, two professors from the initial panel were removed without explanation.

The revised panel, chaired by retired Justice S.A. Omonua, now comprises individuals such as Prof. Theresa Akpoghome, Oghogho Oviasu, Dr. Andrew Oliha, Idris Abdulkareen, President Aigbokhian, and Mariam Erakhoba Ilavbare.

The constitution of the panel follows Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and is in response to the resolution passed by the Edo State House of Assembly on March 19, 2024.

While the panel has been constituted, no date has been set for its sitting yet. An anonymous staff member in the Chief Judge's office indicated that the panel's first task would be to determine the scope of its assignment, including the terms of reference.