Set up panel to investigate deputy gov, Edo Assembly orders Chief Judge

Edo State House of Assembly, on Tuesday passed a resolution asking the chief judge of the state, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to set up a seven-man committee to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the state deputy governor, Mr Philip Shaibu.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the resolution was passed during plenary in Benin City.

Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Blessing Agbebaku, during plenary, notified the house that the seven days ultimatum granted the deputy governor to respond to the impeachment notice served on him had expired.

Agbebaku reminded the house that impeachment notice was served on the deputy governor on March 6 but due to his alleged evasion of service, the assembly ordered a substituted service.

He said the substituted service was published in two of the national dailies on March 12, adding that by counting, March 19 made it seven days.

In his motion, the Majority Leader, Charity Aiguobarueghan, moved that the chief judge be directed to set up seven-man committee to investigate the petition against the deputy governor.

The motion was seconded by Nicholas Asonsere (PDP- Ikpoba Okha).

Aiguobarueghan disclosed that the motion was in line with the 1999 Constitution.

“That the notice served on the deputy governor alleging gross misconduct be sent for investigations.

“And that the speaker directs the chief judge of the state 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.

During a vote, 19 out of the 24 member-house voted in support of the motion.

The Speaker asked the chief judge to set up a seven-man committee to investigate the petition against the deputy governor.

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