Impeachment: Edo Chief Judge drops two professors from seven-man panel

Edo State Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa has dropped Professor Violet Aigbokhaevbo and Professor Boniface Onomion Edegbai from the seven-man panel set up to probe the impeachment petition against the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu by the State House of Assembly.

DAILY POST reports that Professors Violet Aigbokhaevbo and Boniface Onomion Edegbai both of the University of the University of Benin were among members of the earlier seven-man panel set up by the chief judge.

Professor Violet is from the Faculty of Law while Professor Edegbai is from the Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology respectively.

The Chief Registrar of the State High Court, B.O. Osawaru, had in a letter dated Friday, March 22, 2024, announced the constitution of a seven-man panel to probe the allegations of misconduct and perjury levelled against the Deputy governor by the leadership of the state house of assembly.

Meanwhile, another letter dated March 25, 2024, signed by the same chief registrar of the court, did not have the names of the two professors. They were replaced by President Aigbokhian and Mariam Erakhoba Ilavbare, both legal professionals.

The chairman of the panel remained Justice S.A. Omonua, rtd, Professor Theresa Akpoghome, Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu, Surveyor Andrew Oliha and Idris Abdulkareen members.

The chief judge said the setting up of the panel was in line with Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

He also added that the panel was sequel to the resolution of the Edo State House of Assembly on the 19th of March 2024 which was sent to The Honourable the Chief Judge of Edo State.

The full statement by the Chief Registrar of the Edo State High Court reads…

EDO STATE JUDICIARY OFFICE OF THE CHIEF REGISTRAR HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE BENIN CITY.

Our Ref: CR/4837/V01. 11/131 25nd March, 2024

PRESS RELEASE

This is to bring to the notice of the general public that in line with
Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Honourable Chief Judge of Edo State, Honourable Justice D.I. Okungbowa has constituted the PANEL OF SEVEN PERSONS to investigate the allegations contained in the impeachment notice against the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Honourable Philip Shaibu.

This is sequel to the resolution of the Edo State House of Assembly on the 19th Marc, 2024 which was sent to The Honourable the Chief Judge of Edo State.

The said Panel of Seven Persons comprises the following persons:

1. Hon. Justice S.A. Omonua (Rtd.) – Chairman
2. Professor Theresa Akpoghome Member
3. Mr. Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu Member
4. Surv. Dr. Andrew Oliha Member
5. Mr. Idris Abdulkareen – – Member
6. President Aigbokhian Esq. Member

7. Mariam Erakhoba Ilavbare Esq. Member