The ongoing impeachment proceedings against the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, took a significant turn on Thursday as Shaibu failed to appear before the seven-man panel tasked with probing allegations against him. The panel, led by retired Justice S. A. Omonuwa, had convened in Benin to investigate accusations of perjury and divulging government secrets leveled against Shaibu.
Despite being given the opportunity to open his defence on Thursday, Shaibu and his lawyer, Prof Oladoyin Awoyale (SAN), were notably absent from the proceedings. Awoyale, who had been present at the previous hearing, had withdrawn from the case after the panel declined his request to suspend proceedings pending the outcome of a lawsuit filed by Shaibu in Abuja challenging the impeachment process.
During Thursday’s session, the Edo State House of Assembly, the petitioner in the case, reiterated its allegations against Shaibu. Represented by its Deputy Clerk, Joe Ohaifa, the Assembly accused Shaibu of breaching the Oath of Secrecy by leaking government documents. Ohaifa argued that Shaibu’s actions violated the provisions of Schedule 7 of the 1999 Constitution.
Despite Shaibu’s absence, the panel granted him one final opportunity to present his defence. Justice Omonuwa announced that the proceedings would be adjourned until April 5, 2024, allowing Shaibu one last chance to respond to the allegations against him.
The impeachment panel was convened by Edo State Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, following a petition filed by the state Assembly on March 5. The petition accused Shaibu of perjury and unauthorized disclosure of government information, prompting the initiation of impeachment proceedings against him.
