In a dramatic turn of events, the Edo State House of Assembly has impeached the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, following the adoption of the report of a seven-man panel that probed allegations of misconduct against him.
The retired Justice S. A. Omonuwa-led panel, which commenced its proceedings last Wednesday in Benin, the state capital, concluded its sitting on Friday. However, Shaibu or his counsel failed to appear to defend the allegations leveled against him.
Initially scheduled to open his defense on Thursday, Shaibu’s absence prompted the panel to adjourn till Friday. Despite the extension, the Deputy Governor failed to show up, leading to the panel’s decision to proceed without his defense.
The Edo State House of Assembly, acting as the petitioner in the case, had presented its case on Wednesday, paving the way for Shaibu to counter the allegations. However, his counsel, Oladoyin Awoyale, who attended the inaugural sitting, withdrew during the hearing after the panel rejected his request to suspend the proceedings pending the outcome of a suit filed in Abuja challenging the impeachment move.
Deputy Clerk of the Assembly, Joe Ohiafi, representing the petitioner, argued that Shaibu breached confidentiality by disclosing state secrets in an affidavit filed in support of his suit in Abuja, thus violating the Oath of Secrecy and acting against the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
During Friday’s sitting, the Assembly was represented by its Legal Officer, N.U. Ibrahim, accompanied by two others.
Details of the impeachment proceedings and the specific allegations against Shaibu are expected to emerge in subsequent updates.
