From Tony Osauzo, Benin

Edo State House of Assembly, yesterday, passed a resolution directing the Chief Judge of the State, Daniel Okungbowa, to set up a seven-man committee to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the deputy governor of the state, Philip Shaibu.

The resolution was passed after 19 members out of the 24 members of the voted in its favour. 

Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku, had earlier notified the House that the seven-day ultimatum granted the deputy governor to respond to the impeachment notice served on him has expired.

He explained that the impeachment notice was earlier served on the deputy governor on March 6, 2024 but due to the alleged evasion of service, the House ordered for substituted service which was published in the state-owned newspaper, the Observer Newspaper and the Vanguard newspaper.

Agbebaku further explained that the notice was published in the Vanguard newspaper on March 12, 2024, saying by the counting, March 19, 2024, made it seven days.

Consequently, the Majority Leader of the House, Charity Aiguobarueghian, in a motion seconded by Nicholas Asonsere, representing Ikpoba Okha constituency, moved that the chief judge be directed to set up a seven-man committee to investigate the petition against the deputy governor.

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He stated that the motion was in line with Section 188 sub-section 3 and 4 of the constitution.

The majority leader further explained that failure of the deputy governor to respond to the petition at the stipulated time was also in conformity with the provision of Section 188 sub-section 3, where it was clearly stated that “whether he respond or not, the House has a duty to perform.

“That duty was bestowed by Section 188 sub-section 3 of the constitution, that a motion be moved when it will be resolved that if these allegations are not denied, there are worthy of investigation.

“I am, therefore, moving a motion in pursuant to Section 188 sub-section 3 and 4 of the constitution that is designed not to be argued.

“That the notice serve on the deputy governor alleging gross misconduct to be sent for investigations and that the speaker caused the chief judge to set up a seven-man committee to look at the allegations and report its findings to this House as soon as possible,” he said.

In a voice vote, 19 members of the House voted in support of the motion which was more than two-third of members of the Assembly.

Following the resolution, the speaker directed the chief judge to set up a seven-man committee to investigate the petition against the deputy governor.