The seven-man panel established by Edo State Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, has set Friday, April 5, 2024, as the final adjournment date for the deputy governor to present his defense.
During the panel’s sitting on Thursday, chaired by Justice S. A Omonuwa (retd.), it was noted that Deputy Governor Shaibu and his counsel were absent. Justice Omonuwa announced that the panel would give the defendant another opportunity to appear and defend himself before making any decisions.
Despite the absence of Shaibu, the Legal Officer representing the Edo State House of Assembly, N.U. Ibrahim, appeared with two others on behalf of the plaintiff. Following protocol, Justice Omonuwa ruled for another adjournment, allowing Shaibu time to present his defense.
This development follows the inaugural sitting on Wednesday, where Shaibu’s counsel, Prof Oladoyin Awoyale (SAN), requested to excuse himself and the defendant from further proceedings, citing an order from an Abuja Federal High Court. However, Awoyale later admitted that there was no injunction restraining the panel as he had initially stated but insisted that all parties should obey the court’s call to appear on April 8, 2024.
Despite Awoyale’s arguments, the panel upheld the House of Assembly’s counsel, Joe Ohiafi’s submission, emphasizing that only the state House of Assembly could determine what constitutes gross misconduct. Ohiafi urged the panel to consider that Shaibu’s attachment of documents related to the Edo State Executive Council to his case filed in the Abuja Federal High Court breached his oath of office.