Politics

Impeachment: Shaibu Being Persuaded To Drop Petition Against Edo CJ — Counsel

ByKazeem Badmus

PublishedApril 16, 2024

The lawyer for the impeached Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has disclosed that his client is being persuaded to drop his petition against the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.

The lawyer, Andrew Emwanta, revealed this in an interview with The PUNCH on Monday.

Emwanta said Shaibu was weighing his options in view of the appeals coming from several quarters.

Osun Defender reports that Shaibu, last week, through Emwanta, wrote to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, requesting a complaint form to file a formal petition against the Chief Judge of Edo, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.

In a letter on his behalf to the CJN, his lawyers said, “We write as solicitors to Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, who until this morning was Deputy Governor of Edo State.

“Rt. Hon Philip Shaibu has instructed us to file a formal complaint to your council against Hon. Justice Daniel Okungbowa, the Chief Judge of Edo State, for abuse of office, official misconduct, and desecration of his oath of office.

“The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to formally request a complaint form prescribed under the Judicial Discipline Regulations 2017, to enable our client to file his complaint against the subject judge.”

Providing an update on the matter on Monday, Emwanta, said, “There has been no response by the CJN to Shaibu’s request for a formal complaint against the state Chief Judge, Andrew Okungbowa.

“But there are moves to stay further action, as appeals have come from certain quarters for further action not to be taken against the Edo CJ. That’s why we are not proceeding for now.”

When asked if he meant the former deputy governor was dropping his complaint due to the appeals, Emwanta said, “I didn’t say so. There are appeals for him to do so, I believe this clarification is sufficient.”