Members of the Edo State House of Assembly issued a directive to the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, on Tuesday, instructing him to establish a seven-member panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct and perjury against Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu.
Speaker Blessing Agbebaku informed lawmakers that the seven-day ultimatum given to Shaibu to respond to the impeachment notice, served on March 6, had lapsed. Agbebaku emphasized that since Shaibu had eluded service of the impeachment notice, the Assembly had opted for substituted service through two newspapers.
Majority Leader Charity Aiguobarueghan tabled the motion that tasked the Chief Judge with forming the seven-member panel, which was seconded by Nicholas Asonsere, representing Ikpoba/Okha State Constituency. Aiguobarueghan clarified that the motion adhered to Section 188, subsections 3 and 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, emphasizing Shaibu’s failure to respond within the stipulated time, in line with Section 188, subsection 3.
Aiguobarueghan stressed that regardless of Shaibu’s response, the Assembly had a duty to fulfill. In a voice vote, 19 out of 24 lawmakers supported the motion, surpassing the required two-thirds majority.
