April 03, (THEWILL) – The seven-man panel set up by the Chief Judge (CJ), of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to investigate allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the embattled Deputy Governor of the state, Philip Shaibu, on Wednesday, ruled that the panel would continue its investigation as there was no court order foreclosing it.
THEWILL reports that the chairman of the Panel, Justice S.A. Omonuwa, pronounced the ruling after the counsel to Shaibu, Professor Oladoyin Awoyale (SAN), objected to the continuation of the investigation.
Prof. Awoyale had cited the order of an Abuja Federal High Court which adjourned the case filed before it by Shaibu to April 8, 2024, for parties in the matter to come and show cause why the court should grant or refuse the prayers for interlocutory injunction against the impeachment processes initiated by the Edo State House of Assembly against the deputy governor.
However, counsel to the House of Assembly and Deputy Clerk, Legal Department, Joe Ohiafi, argued that the panel’s sitting was supported by Section 188 (10), of the constitution which foreclosed any court from preventing the House of Assembly and the panel from discharging its constitutional responsibilities.
Ohiafi further argued that Awoyale (SAN), must convince the panel that the constitution provision had been altered for the panel to sustain his argument.
In his ruling, the chairman of the panel, Justice Omonuwa (Rtd), dismissed Shaibu’s objection, saying the panel would continue and asked the House of Assembly to state its case.
Responding to the ruling, Awoyale told the panel that his client could not continue to participate in the investigation and sought the panel’s permission to be excused.
When asked whether he was waving his right to defend his client, the SAN answered in the negative, stressing that parties must obey the court decision and that they should appear before it to show cause.
Probed further if he was “arresting the ruling of the panel”, Awoyale (SAN), answered again in the negative and reiterated the need to obey the court which would be sitting on Monday, April 8, 2024.
Professor Awoyale (SAN), who took his exit from the panel at exactly 12:59 pm, however, declined to speak to the press
Ruling on the exit of the SAN, the Chairman of the panel, Just S.A. Omonuwa, said that the decision of the counsel to the deputy governor would not vitiate the panel from discharging its duty.
Justice Omonuwa (Rtd) called on the House of Assembly to present its case against the deputy governor as sitting continues.
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