The Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, and his lead counsel, Prof. Oladoyin Awoyale (SAN), on Friday, shunned the Justice Stephen Omonua-led seven-member probe panel again.
Shaibu and Awoyale said they won’t before the panel was for allegedly disobeying the March 28, 2024 interlocutory order of the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo.
While rounding off the sitting at Edo High Court Complex, Benin, Omonua said: “The panel adjourned sitting till today (Friday), for the last time, for the respondent (Shaibu/counsel) to present his defence, and the respondent is still not before the panel.
“The panel is therefore closing its sitting, to retire to consider its report, as provided by the constitution.”
The other members of the panel include Prof. Theresa Akpoghome, Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu, Dr. Andrew Oliha, Idris Abdulkareen, President Aighokhian, and Mariam Erakhoba Ilavbare.
Edo Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa inaugurated the panel on March 25 to probe the allegations against Shaibu.
He would soon receive the report from the panel for Edo lawmakers to proceed or not with Shaibu’s impeachment.
Inaugural sitting of the panel took place on Wednesday with the lead counsel to Edo Deputy Governor declaring that participating in the proceedings of the panel would amount to “fait accompli,” stating continuing sitting by members of the panel was contempt of the court.
He stated that all parties in the Abuja’s suit ought to obey the interlocutory order, which asked them to show cause why the injunction to maintain status quo ante bellum, pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion on notice, should not be granted.
The order also directed the parties to appear before the presiding judge on April 8, 2024, to show cause why the relief sought by Shaibu should not be granted, particularly the enforcement of fundamental human rights prayer, tabled before the court by Edo deputy governor.
The FHC, Abuja’s suit before Justice Ekwo has as defendants: Inspector-General of Police (IGP); Department of Security Services (DSS); Omonua, representing himself and the members of the panel; Edo chief judge, and the state’s House of Assembly.
(Nation)
