The Justice S.A. Omonua (rtd)-led a seven-man panel investigating the impeachment petition against the Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has on Friday rounded up its sitting to write its report.
DAILY POST reports that the panel commenced sitting on Wednesday, April 3, and ended on Friday, April 5, 2024.
At the Friday sitting, the chairman of the panel, retired Justice Omonua said the sitting was adjourned to Friday (today) to give more opportunity to the respondent to present its defence.
“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.
DAILY POST reports that the panel was constituted by the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, on March 22, 2024, in line with the resolution of the State House of Assembly to investigate the impeachment petition against the deputy governor which bothered on allegations of gross misconduct and perjury.
Other members of the panel are Professor Theresa Akpoghome, Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu, Surveyor Andrew Oliha, Idris Abdulkareen, President Aigbokhian and Mariam Erakhoba Ilavbare.
DAILY POST recalls that at the commencement of the panel sitting, Professor Oladoyin Awoyale, SAN, counsel to the deputy governor, withdrew from participating in the proceedings after the panel had ruled against his motion.
Awoyale, had in his submission, urged the panel to comply with a Federal High Court, Abuja, order by J.E. Ekwo that ordered the panel to show cause on why an interlocutory injunction to maintain status quo on the proceeding of the petition pending the determination of the case should not be granted to the plaintiff (Philip Shaibu).
He prayed the panel to wait for the decision of the Federal High Court on the matter slated for April 8, 2024.
In its ruling, the panel said the J.E. Ekwo order does not stop its proceedings but only asked it to appear before it on April 8, 2024.
Philip Shaibu: Impeachment panel rounds up sitting
