In a significant development within Edo State’s political landscape, the State’s House of Assembly has impeached the embattled Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, marking a pivotal moment in the state’s governance.
He was impeached during the house’s plenary session on Monday in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
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 to investigate allegations of misconduct against the deputy governor, which he was found guilty of disclosing official secret.
The panel, however, exonerated the impeached deputy governor on the allegation of perjury as it was not “made up”, that is proven.
Recall that last week, the House started the impeachment proceedings against Shaibu. 21, out of the 24 lawmakers signed a petition to that effect.
READ ALSO: Court denies Shaibu’s request to halt impeachment process
They accused Shaibu of perjury and disclosure of the state government’s secrets.
During its plenary last Tuesday, the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly Blessing Agbebaku told the lawmakers that the seven-day ultimatum granted Shaibu to respond to the impeachment notice served on him had expired.
The speaker reminded the lawmakers that the impeachment notice was served on Shaibu on March 6, 2024. But due to what he described as the deputy governor’s alleged evasion of service, the House ordered a substituted service.
Agbebaku said the substituted service was published in the Nigerian Observer and the Vanguard Newspapers on March 12, 2024. He said March 19, 2024, made it seven days.
The Majority Leader of the Edo House of Assembly Charity Aiguobarueghan then moved a motion that Justice Okungbowa be directed to set up a committee to probe the petition against Shaibu.
Shaibu’s impeachment represents the apex of the ongoing political deadlock between the deputy governor and his superior, Godwin Obaseki.
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