Edo Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, and his lead counsel, Professor Oladoyin Awoyale (SAN) on Friday shunned the Justice Stephen Omonua-led seven-member probe panel again.
Shaibu and Awoyale said they won’t appear before the panel was for allegedly disobeying the 28th of March, 2024 interlocutory order of the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo.
While rounding off the sitting at Edo High Court Complex, Benin, Omonua said the panel adjourned sitting till Friday, for the last time, for the respondent (Shaibu/counsel) to present his defence, and the respondent is still not before the panel.
He said the panel is therefore closing its sitting, to retire to consider its report, as provided by the constitution.
The other members of the panel include Professor Theresa Akpoghome, Oghogho Oviasu, Dr. Andrew Oliha, Idris Abdulkareen, President Aighokhian, and Mariam Ilavbare.
Edo Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa inaugurated the panel on the 25th of March to probe the allegations against Shaibu.
He would soon receive the report from the panel for Edo lawmakers to proceed or not with Shaibu’s impeachment.
Inaugural sitting of the panel took place on Wednesday with the lead counsel to Edo Deputy Governor declaring that participating in the proceedings of the panel would amount to “fait accompli,” stating continuing sitting by members of the panel was contempt of the court.