UPDATE: Edo Assembly Impeaches Deputy Gov, Philip Shaibu As Omobayo Marvellous Godwin Nominated As Replacement

The Edo State House of Assembly on Monday morning impeached the deputy governor of the state, Philip Shaibu.

The lawmakers impeached him following his indictment by the seven-man panel set up by the Chief Justice of Edo, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.

At the plenary, no fewer than 18 lawmakers voted in favour of his impeachment, while only one lawmaker was against the process.

The Justice Stephen Omonua (Rtd)-led seven-man panel found Shaibu guilty of disclosing official government secret, among others.

However, the panel exonerated the impeached deputy governor on the allegation of perjury because it was not proven beyond reasonable doubt.
In a recent interview on Arise TV, Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu expressed a deep sense of betrayal by his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, for reportedly not endorsing his candidacy in the upcoming 2024 governorship election. Shaibu, who claims he was persuaded to serve as the deputy.

The Deputy Governor’s impeachment came after the State House of Assembly considered and adopted the panel report on Monday.

Meanwhile, The Leadnews reported that a new deputy governor has been nominated.

Omobayo Marvellous Godwins, 38, is from Akoko-Edo, a local government area in the state.

The seven-man panel appointed by the Edo State House of Assembly to investigate alleged gross misconduct against Philip Shaibu concluded its meeting last Friday.

The panel was appointed by the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, on March 22, 2024, in accordance with a State House of Assembly resolution to investigate an impeachment petition against the deputy governor based on allegations of gross misconduct and perjury.

At the Friday sitting, the panel’s chairman, retired Justice Omonua, stated that the meeting was adjourned to give the respondent more time to present his defence.

According to him, after giving the respondent ample opportunity to open defence but he refused, the panel would proceed to write its report in accordance with the Federal Republic of Nigeria constitution.

Retired Justice Omonua stated, “This is the panel’s position.” The panel adjourned its meeting for the final time today (Friday) to allow the respondent to present its defence, and the respondent is still not present.

“The panel is therefore closing its sitting to retire to consider its report, as required by the constitution.”

Recall that the panel met on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, and Professor Oladoyin Awoyale, SAN, counsel to the deputy governor, withdrew from the proceedings after the panel denied his motion.

In his submission, Awoyale urged the panel to comply with a Federal High Court, Abuja, order by J.E. Ekwo, which ordered the panel to show cause why an interlocutory injunction should be granted to maintain the status quo on the petition’s proceeding.

However, in response to the counsel to the Deputy Governor, a member of the panel, President Aigbokhan, directed the counsel’s attention to a subsequent paragraph of the Federal High Court ruling, which he later read and apologised to the panel for reading prayers from the complaint (deputy governor) rather than the ruling.

He then requested a leave of absence from the panel, stating that he could not participate in the proceedings, which was granted.

The panel then continues to sit, stating that there was no court order preventing it from doing so and that it (the panel) is protected by Section 188(10) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s constitution.