The embattled deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, faced impeachment by the State House of Assembly on Monday. This followed the adoption of a report by a seven-man investigative panel appointed by the Chief Judge to look into allegations of misconduct against Shaibu. Despite being summoned, Shaibu failed to appear before the panel, which had adjourned until Thursday for his defence. His counsel attended the initial hearing but left after his request to suspend proceedings was denied. The Assembly, as the petitioner, presented its case against Shaibu after his counsel’s departure. In a related development, on March 28, Justice I.E. Ekwo ordered several respondents to appear in court on April 8 to explain why an injunction to maintain the status quo pending further legal proceedings should not be granted.
Reports indicate that tensions between State Governor Godwin Obaseki and Deputy Governor Shaibu escalated after the governor withheld his support for Shaibu’s gubernatorial aspirations, culminating in last week’s impeachment plot against the deputy governor. In an attempt to thwart the impeachment proceedings, Shaibu served Obaseki and the House of Assembly with originating summons.
Despite initial challenges with serving the summons, Shaibu managed to deliver it to the governor via courier, while the bailiff successfully posted it at the entrance of the State House of Assembly. However, the Federal High Court in Abuja refused to halt the impeachment process initiated by the Edo State House of Assembly against Shaibu.