19th March, 2024
By Jethro Ibileke
The Edo House of Assembly has directed the State Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to set up a seven-man committee to investigate allegations of gross misconduct leveled against the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu.
The directive followed the passage of a resolution to that effect at plenary on Tuesday.
A total of 19 of the 24 members voted in favor of the resolution.
The Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, had earlier notified the House of the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum granted the embattled Deputy Governor to respond to the impeachment notice served on him.
Agbebaku, said the impeachment notice was earlier served on the deputy governor on March 6, 2024 but due to the alleged evasion of service, the house, however, ordered for substituted service.
He said the substituted service were published in the State- owned newspaper, the Observer Newspaper and the Vanguard newspaper respectively.
He said, the notice was published on the Vanguard newspaper on March 12, 2024, noting that by the counting March 19, 2024 (today) made it seven days.
The Majority Leader of the House, Charity Aiguobarueghan, thereafter moved a motion that the Chief Judge be directed to set up seven-man committee to investigate the petition.
Aiguobarueghan averred that the motion was in line with section 188 subsection 3 and 4 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to him, failure by the Deputy to respond to the petition at the stipulated times was also in conformity with the provision of section 188 sub section 3, where it was clearly stated that “whether he respond or not the house has a duty to perform”.
“That duty has bestowed by section 188 subsection 3 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that a motion be moved when it will be resolved that if this allegations are not denied is worthy of investigation.
“I am, therefore, moving a motion in pursuant to section 188 subsection 3 and 4 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that is designed not to be argued.
“That the notice serve on the deputy governor alleging gross misconduct to be sent for investigations and that the speaker caused 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”, he said.
The motion was seconded by Nicholas Asonsere, representing Ikpoba Okha constituency.
In a voice vote, 19 members of the House voted in support of the motion.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the House, directed the Chief Judge to set up a seven-man committee to investigate the petition against the Deputy Governor.