The seven-man panel set up by the chief judge of Edo state, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to investigate allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, on Wednesday ruled that it will continue its investigation as there was no court order stopping it. The panel, led by retired Justice S.A. Omonuwa, insist it is operating within the confines of the law and therefore, not shifting grounds.
The ruling came after Shaibu’s counsel, Professor Oladoyin Awoyale SAN, raised an objection to the continuation of the investigation in view of the order of an Abuja federal high court which adjourned the case filed before it by Shaibu till April 8th, 2024, for parties in the matter to come and show cause why the court should grant or refuse the prayers for interlocutory injunction against the impeachment processes.
Justice Omonuwa (retd.), while giving his ruling, said the federal high court in Abuja only asked parties to come and show cause.
Deputy clerk, legal, Edo state house of assembly, Ohaifa Joe, who is the counsel for the house of assembly had, while arguing his position, said that by virtue of the provisions of the constitution, section 188 (10), no court has the right to prevent the house of assembly, or the panel so set up, from performing its constitutional responsibilities.
