Impeachment: Edo Assembly Directs Chief Judge to Set Up Panel to Probe Allegations Against Deputy Governor

In a decisive move during Tuesday’s plenary session, the Edo State House of Assembly passed a resolution, instructing the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to establish a seven-man committee. This committee is tasked with investigating the allegations of gross misconduct leveled against the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu.

The resolution garnered significant support, with nineteen out of the 24 members of the House voting in favor of its passage.

Speaker Blessing Agbebaku highlighted that the seven-day ultimatum given to the deputy governor to respond to the impeachment notice had lapsed. Despite efforts to serve him directly, alleged evasion led the House to resort to substituted means of service. The notice was published in both The Observer, a state-owned newspaper, and the Vanguard Newspaper on March 12, 2024, ultimately expiring by March 19.

Majority Leader Charity Aiguobarueghan, in a motion, cited the relevant sections of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, stating that the House had a duty to investigate the allegations, regardless of the deputy governor’s response.

Aiguobarueghan emphasized that the motion was aligned with Section 188, Sub-section 3 and 4 of the Constitution, indicating that the House’s duty to investigate was paramount, irrespective of the deputy governor’s response.

Following a voice vote, where 19 members supported the motion, surpassing the required two-thirds majority, the Speaker directed the Chief Judge to establish the seven-man committee promptly. This committee is mandated to thoroughly investigate the allegations against the deputy governor and report its findings to the House without delay.