A seven-man panel convened by Edo State Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, has set Friday, April 5, 2024, as the final adjournment date for Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu to defend himself against allegations of gross misconduct. Despite the panel's readiness, Shaibu and his counsel were notably absent during Thursday's session.
Chairman of the panel, Justice S. A Omonuwa (retd.), expressed the panel's decision to await Shaibu's defense before adjourning. With Shaibu absent and unrepresented, Justice Omonuwa called for the appearance of the plaintiff, the Edo State House of Assembly, which initiated the impeachment process. The Legal Officer, N.U. Ibrahim, represented the Assembly.
Justice Omonuwa ruled that the panel would adjourn to April 5, 2024, at 12 noon, to allow Shaibu the chance to present his defense. This follows Shaibu's counsel's previous submission at the panel's inaugural sitting, where he sought leave to excuse himself and Shaibu due to a pending court order in Abuja Federal High Court, which turned out to be erroneous. The panel overruled this, stating that only the state House of Assembly could determine gross misconduct, highlighting Shaibu's alleged breach of oath by attaching Edo State Executive Council documents to a case filed in the Abuja Federal High Court.
