In a significant recent development, the Edo State House of Assembly has made the decision to impeach Philip Shaibu, the deputy governor of the state.
The impeachment proceedings unfolded during the plenary session held on Monday in Benin City, the capital of Edo State.
Shaibu’s impeachment followed the adoption of the report of a seven-man committee set up by the chief judge of Edo Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, tasked with investigating allegations of misconduct against the deputy governor.
Just last week, the Edo House of Assembly initiated the impeachment process against Shaibu. It’s noteworthy that a significant majority of the lawmakers, specifically 21 out of 24, signed a petition in support of this action, indicating a strong consensus among the legislators regarding the impeachment proceedings.
The accusations against Shaibu include perjury and disclosure of the state government’s secrets.
During a plenary session held last Tuesday, Blessing Agbebaku, the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, addressed the lawmakers.
During this session, the Speaker informed them that the seven-day ultimatum given to Shaibu to respond to the impeachment notice had expired.
The speaker reminded the lawmakers that the impeachment notice was served on Shaibu on March 6, 2024. However, due to what he described as the deputy governor’s alleged evasion of service, the Edo House of Assembly ordered a substituted service.
Agbebaku stated that the substituted service was published in the Nigerian Observer and the Vanguard Newspapers on March 12, 2024. He emphasized that March 19, 2024, marked the completion of the seven-day period.
The Majority Leader of the Edo House of Assembly, Charity Aiguobarueghan, then moved a motion directing Justice Okungbowa to set up a committee to probe the petition against Shaibu.
Shaibu’s impeachment marks the climax of the political conflict between the deputy governor and his principal, Godwin Obaseki.