Impeachment Proceedings Continue: Edo Assembly Tasks Chief Judge to Probe Deputy Governor

On Tuesday, the Edo State House of Assembly passed a resolution instructing the State’s Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to establish a seven-member committee to probe allegations of gross misconduct against the deputy governor, Philip Shaibu.

During the plenary session, 19 out of the 24 members voted in favor of the resolution.

The House initiated impeachment proceedings against Shaibu on March 5, citing accusations of perjury and divulging government secrets.

However, attempts to serve him with the impeachment notice were unsuccessful as he was reportedly out of the state.

Due to the inability to serve the notice physically, the House resorted to substitution by publishing the letter in three national dailies on March 12.

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The move for impeachment is seen as the latest development in the ongoing discord between Shaibu and Governor Godwin Obaseki, his principal, which escalated when Shaibu expressed interest in contesting in this year’s Edo governorship race.

Earlier, Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku, informed his colleagues that the seven-day ultimatum given to the deputy governor to respond to the impeachment notice had lapsed.

The notice was initially served on March 6, 2024, but due to alleged evasion of service, the House ordered substituted service, which was completed by its publication in the Vanguard newspaper on March 12, 2024.

In line with Section 188 Subsections 3 and 4 of the constitution, the Majority Leader of the House, Charity Aiguobarueghan, moved a motion for the Chief Judge to establish a seven-man committee to investigate the allegations against the deputy governor.

The motion was supported by Nicholas Asonsere, representing Ikpoba Okha constituency.

Aiguobarueghan emphasized that the motion was pursuant to the constitution’s provisions, stating that whether or not the deputy governor responds to the petition, the House has a duty to perform.

Nineteen members of the House voted in favor of the motion, prompting the Speaker to direct the Chief Judge to set up the investigative committee promptly.