The Edo State House of Assembly has accused the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, of leaking government secrets and committing perjury.
The Assembly stated that the allegations against Shaibu are impeachable offenses.
The lawmakers, represented by Deputy Clerk Joe Ohaifa, made this claim during the inaugural sitting of the seven-man panel investigating Shaibu.
The panel, led by retired Justice S.A. Omonuwa, was established by Edo State Chief Judge Justice Daniel Okungbowa at the request of the State Assembly. The Assembly began impeachment proceedings against the deputy governor on March 5.
The Assembly mentioned that the impeachment proceedings were initiated based on a petition accusing Shaibu of perjury and leaking government secrets.
The impeachment process is seen as the latest development in the ongoing conflict between Shaibu and Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The Deputy Clerk presented the Assembly’s case, stating that Shaibu disclosed confidential information about the state in his affidavit supporting a lawsuit in Abuja.
He mentioned that Shaibu shared documents from the State Executive Council’s meeting.
Ohaifa pointed out that Shaibu breached the Oath of Secrecy he took and went against the provisions of Schedule 7 of the 1999 Constitution.
After listening to the Assembly’s case, the panel adjourned until today (Thursday) for Shaibu to present his defense.
During the earlier proceedings, Shaibu’s lawyer, Prof. Oladoyin Awoyale (SAN), left the hearing after the panel rejected his request to pause the proceedings.
