The Edo State House of Assembly directed the state’s Chief Judge, Honourable Justice Daniel Okungbowa to immediately set up a seven-man panel to investigate the allegations of
“ gross misconduct” leveled against the state Deputy Governor, Mr. Philip Shaibu.
The decision of the House was reached on at Tuesday plenary that was presided over by the Speaker, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku with 18 other lawmakers present.
The Speaker told the House that the seven days period given to the deputy governor on March 6, 2024 to respond to the allegations expired on March 19, 2024.
The House had served the deputy governor through substituted service via newspaper publications, on the state owned newspaper The Observer, and the Vanguard Newspaper, of March 12, 2024.
Moving the motion directing the Chief Judge to set up the seven-man panel, the Majority Leader, Hon. Charity Aiguobarueghan, said that the motion was in line with Section 188, Sub-section 3 and 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which provides that that “whether he responds or not, the House has a duty to perform.”
He continued:
“That duty was bestowed by Section 188, Sub-section 3 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that a motion be moved, when it will be resolved that if these allegations are not denied, they are worthy of investigation.
“I am, therefore, moving a motion in pursuant to Section 188, Sub-section 3 and 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that is designed not to be argued.
“That the notice served on the deputy governor alleging gross misconduct be sent for investigation and that the Speaker cause the Chief Judge of the state to set up a seven-man committee to look at the allegations and report its findings to this House as soon as possible.”
The 19 members present unanimously voted in support of the motion.
