The seven-man panel set up to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, by the Edo State House of Assembly yesterday rounded off its sitting.
The panel was constituted by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, on March 22, 2024, in line with the resolution of the State House of Assembly to investigate an impeachment petition against the deputy governor, which bordered on allegations of gross misconduct and perjury.
During yesterday’s sitting, the chairman of the panel, retired Justice Omonua, said the sitting was adjourned to Friday (yesterday) to give more opportunity to the respondent to present his defence.
According to him, having given the respondent an ample opportunity to open defence but he refused, the panel would go ahead and write its report, as required by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Omonua said: “This is the position of the panel. The panel adjourned sitting to today (Friday) for the last time for the respondent to present its defence, and the respondent is still not before the panel.
“The panel is therefore closing its sitting to consider its report as provided by the constitution.”
Recall that the panel commenced sitting on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, where Prof. Oladoyin Awoyale (SAN), counsel to the deputy governor, withdrew from participating in the proceedings after the panel ruled against his motion.
