The Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, is to set up a seven-man panel to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct against the state deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu.
The directive was sequel to the resolution passed by the house during plenary. 19 out of the 24 members voted in favour of the resolution.
The Edo State House of Assembly gave the directive following the seven-day ultimatum given to the deputy governor to respond to the impeachment
The house Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, had earlier informed the house that the impeachment notice was earlier served on the deputy governor on March 6, 2024 but was allegedly evaded, which he said led to substituted service.
He said the substituted service were published in the state-owned newspaper, The Observer Vanguard respectively.
The House Majority Leader, Charity Aiguobarueghan, who moved the motion seconded by Nicholas Asonsere, representing Ikpoba Okha constituency, said the House should order the Chief Judge to set up seven-man committee to investigate the petition against the deputy governor.
He said the motion was in line with section 188 subsection 3 and 4 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, adding that Shaibu failed to respond to the petition at the stipulated time.
“I am, therefore, moving a motion pursuant to section 188 subsection 3 and 4 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that is designed not to be argued.”
“That the notice served on the deputy governor alleging gross misconduct to be sent for investigations and that the speaker caused the Chief judge of the State to set up a seven-man committee to look at the allegations and report its findings to this house as soon as possible”, he said.
Nineteen members out of 24 voted in support of the motion in a voice vote.
