The Edo State House of Assembly has passed a resolution tasking the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to establish a seven-man committee to investigate allegations of gross misconduct leveled against Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu.
During Tuesday’s plenary session, 19 out of the 24 members voted in favor of the resolution, signaling strong support for the impeachment proceedings initiated against Shaibu.
The House accuses him of perjury and leaking government secrets, leading to heightened tensions between him and Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Efforts to serve the impeachment notice physically proved futile as Shaibu was reportedly out of state.
Consequently, the House resorted to serving the notice via substitution, publishing it in three national dailies on March 12, after the initial attempt on March 5.
Speaker Blessing Agbebaku informed colleagues that the seven-day ultimatum granted to Shaibu to respond to the impeachment notice had lapsed.
He emphasized that the House had diligently followed constitutional procedures, citing Sections 188(3) and 188(4) as the basis for their actions.
Majority Leader Charity Aiguobarueghan, supported by Nicholas Asonsere, moved the motion to direct the Chief Judge to initiate the investigative committee, highlighting the House’s duty to act irrespective of the deputy governor’s response.
In accordance with the Constitution, specifically Section 188(3) and 188(4), the motion was passed, with 19 members endorsing it.
The Speaker subsequently instructed the Chief Judge to expedite the establishment of the committee and report its findings promptly.
The impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Shaibu underscore the escalating rift within the Edo State government, marking a significant development in the political landscape of the region.
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