By Kelechi Esogwa-Amadi
The Edo State House of Assembly has impeached the embattled deputy governor, Philip Shaibu.
The impeachment, today, Monday, followed the adoption of the report of the 7-man investigative panel set up by the Assembly to probe allegations of misconduct against Shaibu.
The impeachment proceedings culminated in a dramatic vote that saw Shaibu ousted from his position.
The 7-man investigative panel had forwarded its report to the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.
Headed by Justice Stephen A. Omonuwa (Rtd), the panel had, on Thursday, ruled that it would adjourn for the last time on Friday. This was to give the respondent, Shaibu, time to defend himself over the allegations leveled against him.
Thursday’s ruling by the panel was a sequel to the absence of Shaibu and his counsel when the panel sat on Thursday.
At the panel’s inaugural sitting on Wednesday, Shaibu was represented by Professor Oladoyin Awoyale (SAN).
He informed the panel that he would not be continuing with the panel’s proceedings on the ground that an Abuja High Court had asked all parties before it, in a case of enforcement of fundamental human rights instituted by him, to come on Monday, April 8, to show cause on why it should or should not grant the reliefs sought.
When the panel overruled the objection, Awoyale (SAN) sought the permission of the panel to excuse himself.
Ruling on the development, the chairman of the panel said: “The panel adjourned sitting for the last time for today to allow the respondent to defend himself.
“The panel shall retire to go and write its report as required by the constitution,” Justice Omonuwa (Rtd) ruled.
A source told TPCN in confidence that the Edo deputy governor’s impeachment is a culmination of a frosty relationship between him and the governor, Obaseki. “For some time now, they have not enjoyed a robust relationship. It has rather been more of a cold war and silent quarrel. So, some of us who knew what was happening are not surprised by this impeachment. Somehow, it was bound to happen,” our source explained. Meanwhile, following the impeachment of Shaibu, Governor Godwin Obaseki has appointed Omobayo Godwin as his new deputy. The latter’s inauguration ceremony is billed to take place on Monday in Edo State Government House.
