SAN FRANCISCO, January 21, (THEWILL) – Government official activities were temporarily put on hold in Edo State on Thursday as political office holders stormed the Benin High Court over the arraignment of the former majority leader of the Edo State House of Assembly.
THEWILL reports that the immediate past majority leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, Philip Shaibu, was re-arraigned in court, following a warrant of arrest issued on him last Thursday over his failure to appear in court by Justice Esohe Ikponmwen of the Benin High Court.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is arraigning Shaibu, who represents Etsako Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, on six-count charge over alleged forgery of tax document in 2006.
When the accused appeared in court, the chamber was however filled by government officials, who temporarily abandoned their offices in solidarity with the former State House of Assembly majority leader.
Among them was Pius Odubu, the state deputy governor, led the pack of government’s official to the court.
Other officials are, Osatodion Ogie, commissioner for works; Isimemen Iriogbe, commissioner for transport; Washington Osifo, commissioner for Energy and Water Resources; Jemitola Aanena, commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, and Macdonald Obasuki, commissioner for Arts and Culture.
Justice Ikponmwen, nevertheless, granted the accused bail, in the sum of N3 million and a surety, who must be resident in Benin City, and gainfully employed, following an application by Ken Mozie, counsel to the accused, which was not opposed by Godson Igbadumhe, counsel to ICPC.
She however adjoined the case to February 15 and 16, for further hearing.
