A seven-member panel headed by Justice S.A. Omonua (rtd) that was looking into the petition for Philip Shaibu, the deputy governor of Edo State, to be removed from office concluded its meeting on Friday in order to begin writing a report.
The panel was said to have convened on Wednesday, April 3, and concluded their meeting on Friday, April 5, 2024.
The panel’s chairman, retired Justice Omonua, announced during the Friday session that the meeting had been postponed to Friday (today) in order to give the respondent additional time to present its defense.
“This is the position of the panel. The panel adjourned sitting to today (Friday) for the last time for the respondent to present its defence, and the respondent is still not before the panel.
“The panel is therefore closing its sitting to retire to consider its report as provided by the constitution,” he said.
According to reports, the panel was established on March 22, 2024, by Justice Daniel Okungbowa, the Chief Judge of Edo State, in accordance with a resolution passed by the State House of Assembly. The investigation was intended to look into the deputy governor’s impeachment petition, which raised concerns about charges of grave misconduct and perjury.
Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu, Surveyor Andrew Oliha, Idris Abdulkareen, President Aigbokhian, Professor Theresa Akpoghome, and Mariam Erakhoba Ilavbare round up the panel.
Remembers that Professor Oladoyin Awoyale, SAN, the deputy governor’s attorney, resigned from the panel at the beginning of the meeting when the panel denied his request.
In his submission, Awoyale urged the panel to abide by an order from J.E. Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, directing the panel to provide justification for why the plaintiff (Philip Shaibu) should not be granted an interlocutory injunction to maintain the status quo on the petition’s proceeding while the case is being decided.
He asked the tribunal to hold off until the Federal High Court’s April 8, 2024, ruling on the case.
The panel stated in its decision that the J.E. Ekwo order just requests that it come before it on April 8, 2024, not that it ends its proceedings.
