Shaibu's Impeachment Panel Proceedings

By Comrade Robinson Akhenoba

On Wednesday 3rd April, 2024 the sun sets in Benin, casting a warm glow over the city as the Impeachment panel's inaugural sitting began. In a grand hall filled with tension and anticipation, representatives from the state house of assembly and the Deputy Governor's team took their places.

A seven-man panel, led by the distinguished retired justice S. A. Omonuwa, convened to unravel a mystery surrounding the Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu.

Whispers of allegations concerning perjury and misconduct had spread across Edo State like wildfire, casting a shadow of doubt over the respected Deputy Governor. The Chief Judge of Edo, Daniel Okungbowa, who deemed it necessary to shine a light on these accusations and seek the truth.

As the panel commenced its hearings, the air in Benin was filled with anticipation and apprehension. The fate of the Deputy Governor to be decided by men not by God who gave power to whoever he pleases, and the people watched with bated breath as the proceedings unfolded. Would justice prevail, or would the accusations prove to be unfounded?

The retired justice S. A. Omonuwa, with his piercing gaze and impartial demeanor, listened intently to the testimonies and evidence presented before him. The weight of his recommendation to the Chief judge could sway the course of history in Edo State, and the entire city held its breath in anticipation of his findings.

And so, the wheels of justice turned in Benin, as the panel delved deep into the allegations surrounding the Deputy Governor. The truth, like a hidden gem waiting to be unearthed, shimmered just beyond reach, waiting for the seven-man in black suites to illuminate it.

Only time would tell what fate awaited Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu and the people of Edo State. As the panel continued its probe, the echoes of its deliberations radiat through the new high court judge hall, reminding all that justice, no matter how elusive, would always find a way to prevail.

Joe Ohiafi, the deputy clerk, legal of the house of assembly, sat with a stack of documents in front of him, ready to present the allegations against Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu. On the other side of the room, Oladoyin Awoyale, a distinguished professor and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), stood tall and resolute, prepared to defend the Deputy Governor's honor and the constitution.

As the proceedings commenced, the air was thick with the weight of the supposed accusations and the gravity of the situation. The panel, led by the retired justice S. A. Omonuwa, listened attentively as both sides presented their arguments and evidence.

Each word spoken, each piece of evidence presented, held the power to shape the destiny of the defender and the complainant and the defendant. The eyes were fixed on the panel, waiting with bated breath for justice to be served.

As the panel resumed its hearing as scheduled, the courtroom was filled with a palpable sense of anticipation. However, an unexpected twist unfolded when the Deputy Governor, represented by his lawyer Awoyale, challenged the legitimacy of the proceedings. Awoyale argued vehemently that the panel's investigation of his client would essentially be a fait accompli, contradicting the existing order of the Federal High CouRt. Awoyale's arguments reverberated with authority, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. The mention of the interlocutory injunction issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja cast a shadow of doubt over the ongoing proceedings.

The atmosphere in the courtroom crackled with tension as the Deputy Governor's legal team stood firm in their objection. The clash of legal powerhouses reverberated through the halls, casting a shadow over the truth-seeking process that was meant to unfold. The fate of the "Deputy Governor" not Philip Shaibu set to be decided by men, as the legal wrangling threatened to overshadow the quest for justice.

The echoes of this dramatic showdown would linger long after the court adjourned, leaving the Edo people on the edge of their seats. The courtroom had become the stage for a high-stakes legal battle, where the future of Edo State and the Deputy Governor's political career teetered on a knife's edge. The outcome of this clash of wills would shape the narrative of justice and power in the region for years to come.

The implications of the court's order weighed heavily on everyone present, raising profound questions about the legitimacy of the panel's actions in the face of a superior judicial decree. Awoyale's words resonated like a powerful thunderclap, urging all parties involved to heed the legal mandate and abide by the rule of law.

The courtroom fell into a contemplative silence as the impact of the court's order sank in. The delicate balance between legal authority and judicial oversight hung in the balance, as the fate of the Deputy Governor's impeachment trial teetered on the edge of legality. The unfolding drama painted a vivid picture of the intricate dance between power and justice, leaving all those in attendance on the edge of their seats, waiting to see how this legal saga would unfold on the stage of the law.

As the courtroom buzzed with legal arguments and tensions ran high, Ohiafi, counsel to the House of Assembly and deputy clerk, stood firm in defense of the panel's authority. With unwavering confidence, he invoked section 188 (10) of the constitution, asserting that the law prohibited any court from obstructing the House of Assembly and the panel in carrying out their constitutional obligations.

Amidst this legal standoff, the panel made the crucial decision to take a two-hour break before proceeding with their defense. The courtroom fell into a hushed anticipation as both sides regrouped and prepared for the next phase of the legal battle.

During the break, whispers of speculation and anticipation filled the air, as all eyes were fixed on the unfolding drama in the courtroom. The fate of the Vice Governor hung in the balance as the legal wrangling continued, with each side fighting fiercely to assert their interpretation of the law and uphold their respective positions.

When the panel reconvened after the break, the atmosphere crackled with intensity, signaling the beginning of a new phase in the legal proceedings. The battle of legal minds resumed, with the stakes higher than ever and the outcome hanging in the balance. The courtroom was a stage set for a legal drama of epic proportions, where the clash of legal principles and constitutional interpretations would determine the course of justice.

As the defense continued, the counsel for the Deputy Governor, Awoyale, took a respectful bow, setting the stage for the next legal maneuver. However, the courtroom was taken aback when Barrister Joe Ohiafi, the deputy clerk of the Edo State House of Assembly, assumed the roles of both the complainant's counsel and the witness to the complainant simultaneously. It was a surprising turn of events that raised eyebrows and sparked whispers among those present.

The unusual dual role played by Barrister Ohiafi added a layer of complexity and intrigue to the proceedings, drawing attention to the twists and turns of the legal battle.

In a bold move, Barrister Ohiafi presented an exhibit before the panel, accusing the Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu, of lying under oath and providing false information to the public. The panelists questioned the rationale and the breach of protocol of not informing the deputy governor of subsequent meetings through the normal processes. Barrister Ohiafi was left in bewilderment.

The stakes were higher than ever as the legal drama unfolded, with each new development adding another layer of complexity to the case. The courtroom was a stage set for a legal showdown where truth and deception clashed. As the defense and prosecution sparred, the outcome of this legal battle remained uncertain, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the next twist in this gripping legal saga.

As the panel delved deeper into the perplexing turn of events, the complainant noted that, the deputy governor had misinformed the public of his last official letter of invitation he had received to the EXCO meeting which was dated July 17th, 2023. However, confusion arose when the complainant disclosed another letter purportedly delivered to the deputy governor through his private secretary on the 19th of July, 2023. This unexpected twist in the narrative caught the attention of the panel, leading them to question the rationale behind this breach of protocol.

The panel's inquiry intensified as they sought clarity on why the deputy governor was invited through his private secretary instead of the established procedure. The air was thick with anticipation as the witness, Ohiafi, was pressed on his affiliations and involvement in this enigmatic matter.

Ohiafi, a key player in this unfolding saga, found himself navigating through a web of intrigues and mysteries as he faced the relentless scrutiny of the panel. His ties to the events surrounding the deputy governor's invitations were probed, unraveling a tapestry of connections that hinted at a deeper complexity lurking beneath the surface.

As the inquiry unfolded, the echoes of questions bounced off the walls of the chamber, and the truth seemed to be just out of reach. The deputy governor's invitations became symbols of a larger narrative, one that raised more questions than answers, leaving those present to ponder the shadows cast by the unseen hands that guided this enigmatic tale. And so, the story of the deputy governor and the invitations to the EXCO meeting continued to weave its enigmatic path through the corridors of power, leaving whispers of curiosity and intrigue in its wake.

As the whispers of intrigue echoed through the hallowed halls of power, the tale of the deputy governor's invitations to the EXCO meeting continued to unravel. The lone piece of evidence presented by the complainant stood as a beacon of accusation, pointing towards allegations of perjury and gross misconduct. The panel, in their quest for truth, decided to adjourn the proceedings to the 4th of April, 2024, providing the deputy governor with an opportunity to present his defense and shed light on the murky circumstances surrounding the invitations.

Amidst the swirling accusations and mounting tensions, a new chapter unfolded in the saga of the deputy governor's plight. Back in the heat of July, Shaibu, with a defiant spirit, took a bold step by approaching a federal high court in Abuja with a suit aimed at thwarting the looming impeachment plot against him. In a bid to safeguard his position, Shaibu sought the court's intervention to restrain Obaseki, the esteemed speaker of the state assembly, and the revered chief judge, from initiating any impeachment proceedings or sanctioning such actions against him.

As the wheels of fate spun relentlessly, the tale of the deputy governor's trials and tribulations in the face of impending impeachment played out against the backdrop of a tumultuous political landscape, where allies turned into foes and enemies lurked within the shadows, waiting to strike. The stage was set for a showdown of epic proportions, where the fate of Edo chosen one hung in the balance, and the winds of change whispered through the corridors of power, heralding a storm on the horizon.

Comrade Robinson Akhenoba is the writer and publisher of The Political Evangelist