Drama as 2 members refuse to serve on panel investigating Shaibu

Drama as 2 members refuse to serve on panel investigating Shaibu

Violet Aigbokhaebo and Boniface Onomion Edegbai, two professors, have declined to serve on the seven-member panel tasked with investigating the charges brought against Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu in the 24-member House of Assembly’s impeachment notice on March 6.

They’ve been replaced.

Edo Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, convened another panel yesterday in accordance with Section 188 (5) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Mr. B. O. Osawaru, the Chief Registrar of the Edo High Court, indicated in a statement that Justice S. A. Omonua (rtd.) would continue to lead the panel.

Other members of the new panel include Prof. Theresa Akpoghome, Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu, Dr. Andrew Oliha, Idris Abdulkareen, President Aighokhian and Mariam Erakhoba Ilavbare.

On March 22, the chief registrar, in a statement, gave the names of the other members of the panel as Profs. Violet Aigbokhaebo, Boniface Onomion Edegbai and Theresa Akpoghome, as well as Dr. Andrew Oliha and Messrs. Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu and Idris Abdulkareen.

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Edo lawmakers, on March 19, through a resolution by 19 of the 24 members, directed the chief judge to constitute the seven-member panel.

Shaibu, at the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, through an ex-parte motion, urged the court to restrain the House of Assembly, the chief judge and Governor Godwin Obaseki from taking further action on the impeachment process, pending the determination of the substantive matter.

The motion, which was filed on March 18 by Edo deputy governor’s lead counsel, Prof. Oladoyin Awoyale, equally joined Edo State Government, Speaker and Clerk of the House of Assembly, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Inspector-General of the Police (IGP).

Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotoso, directed that all parties be put on notice, and granted the requested substituted service, with the matter adjourned till April 15 for further hearing.

Obaseki, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is backing a Lagos-based lawyer, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, to succeed him on November 12, while Shaibu insisted that he remained the standard-bearer of PDP in Edo, for the September 21 governorship election.

Drama as 2 members refuse to serve on panel investigating Shaibu

(Nation)