Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, and his primary legal representative, Prof. Oladoyin Awoyale (SAN), have chosen to disregard the summons once again, alleging non-compliance with the Federal High Court’s interlocutory directive of March 28, 2024, issued by Justice Inyang Ekwo in Abuja.
Bringing the session to a close at the Edo High Court Complex in Benin, Omonua stated: ‘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.’
Additional members of the panel comprise Prof. Theresa Akpoghome, Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu, Dr.
Andrew Oliha, Idris Abdulkareen, President Aighokhian, and Mariam Erakhoba Ilavbare.
Edo’s Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, initiated the panel on March 25 to delve into the accusations against Shaibu.The imminent delivery of the panel’s report to him will determine whether Edo lawmakers will proceed with Shaibu’s impeachment or not.
On Wednesday, the panel held its inaugural session, during which the principal lawyer for Edo’s Deputy Governor argued that engaging in the panel’s proceedings would lead to an inevitable conclusion, emphasizing that the panel members’ ongoing meetings might be seen as a defiance of the court’s authority.
He emphasized that all parties involved in the Abuja lawsuit should adhere to the interim directive, requiring them to provide reasons why the injunction to maintain the pre-war status quo should not be granted until the hearing and resolution of the underlying motion.
The directive further instructed the involved parties to present themselves before the presiding judge on April 8, 2024, to explain why Shaibu’s requested relief, especially the enforcement of fundamental human rights petitioned by the Edo Deputy Governor, should not be approved.
The Federal High Court (FHC) case in Abuja, presided over by Justice Ekwo, lists several defendants: the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Department of State Services (DSS), Omonua, representing himself and the panel members, the Chief Judge of Edo State, and the State House of Assembly.