The embattled deputy governor of Edo state, Philip Shaibu, has been impeached by the state’s house of assembly.
The lawmakers removed Shaibu, who has been having a running battle with governor, Godwin Obaseki, since he made public, his plans to succeed him against the governor’s wishes.
Shaibu was impeached on Monday morning during plenary session following the recommendation of the panel tasked with investigating accusations against him. The deputy governor had refused to honour invitations extended to him by the seven-man panel which investigated allegations against him.
After his refusal, the panel led by Justice S.A. Omonua (retd.) wrote its report and recommended his removal, saying Shaibu declined the opportunity for defence.
Counsel to the former deputy governor, professor Oladoyin Awoyale, SAN, had withdrawn from participating in the proceedings after the panel ruled against his motion.
Awoyale had urged the panel to comply with a federal high court, Abuja, that ordered the panel to show cause on why an interlocutory injunction to maintain status quo on the proceeding of the petition pending the determination of the case should not be granted to the plaintiff.
