Edo Assembly Directs CJ To Set Up Probe Panel On Deputy Gov

The Edo State House of Assembly has passed a resolution directing the Chief Judge (CJ) of the State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to set up a seven-man committee to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the deputy governor of the state, Hon. Philip Shaibu.

The Assembly passed the resolution at its plenary on Tuesday, where 19 out of the 24 members of the House voted in favour of the resolution.

Earlier, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, had notified the House that the seven-day ultimatum granted the deputy governor to respond to the allegations contained in the impeachment notice served on him had expired.

Agbebaku said the impeachment notice was earlier served on the deputy governor on March 6, 2024, but due to the alleged evasion of service, the House, however, ordered for substituted means of service.

He said the substituted service was published in the State-owned newspaper, The Observer, and a national daily.

He said the notice was published on March 12, 2024, noting that by the counting, Tuesday March 19, 2024 made it seven days.

In a motion, the Majority Leader of the House, Charity Aiguobarueghan, seconded by Nicholas Asonsere, representing Ikpoba Okha constituency, moved that the chief judge be directed to set up a seven-man committee to investigate the petition against the deputy governor.

Aiguobarueghan averred that the motion was in line with Section 188 subsections 3 and 4 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

He noted that failure of the deputy governor to respond to the petition at the stipulated time was also in conformity with the provision of Section 188 subsection 3, where it was clearly stated that “whether he respond or not the House has a duty to perform.”

“That duty as bestowed by Section 188 subsection 3 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that a motion be moved when it will be resolve that if this allegations are not denied is worthy of investigation.

“I am, therefore, moving a motion in pursuant to section 188 subsections 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 cause 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.

In a voice vote, 19 members of the House voted in support of the motion, which was more than two-third of members of the House.

Ruling on the motion, the Speaker of the House, directed the chief judge to set up a seven-man committee to investigate the petition against the deputy governor.