The Edo State House of Assembly officially closed its case at 1:51 pm on Wednesday in the ongoing investigation of alleged gross misconduct against Deputy Governor Comrade Philip Shaibu.
The investigation is being conducted by a seven-man panel led by retired Justice S.A. Omonuwa, appointed by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.
In its closing statement, the Assembly, represented by counsel Ohiafi Joe, Deputy Clerk of the Legal Department, cited Section 118(10) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, emphasising the Assembly’s exclusive authority to determine what constitutes “gross misconduct.”
Ohiafi argued that Shaibu’s actions, particularly his submission of documents related to State Executive Council meetings in a case before an Abuja Federal High Court, violated the oath of secrecy he took as mandated by Schedule 7 of the constitution.
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The Assembly counsel therefore closed his case by asking the panel to uphold the provisions of the constitution that only the House of Assembly could determine “what constitutes gross misconduct.”
There was no objection as the counsel to Comrade Shaibu, Professor Oladoyin Awoyale (SAN), had earlier taken his leave of the panel on the ground that he could not continue if the parties would not obey the court by appearing before the Abuja Federal High Court which asked the to appear before it on Monday, April 8, 2024; an argument the panel ruled against.
Delivering his ruling, the Chairman of the panel, Justice Omonuwa (Rtd), adjourned to Thursday, April 4, on the ground that the panel would give the deputy governor and his counsel to reconsider their stance of not participating in the proceedings of the panel.
