Shaibu To File Petition Against Edo CJ Over Impeachment

A letter has been written to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, by the sacked Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, seeking to obtain a complaint form to file a formal petition against the state Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.

Osun Defender reports that Shaibu was impeached on Monday by the state House of Assembly, following the adoption of the report of a seven-man panel set up by the Chief Judge of the state.

In a letter from the Chambers of B.I. Dakum and Co. dated April 8, 2024, Shaibu applied to the CJN, who doubles as the Chairman of the National Judicial Council, for leave to obtain a complaint form to file a formal petition against Okungbowa.

Signed by Adaze A. Emwanta, a former Commissioner for Information and Orientation to Governor Godwin Obaseki, the letter seeks to institute a petition of abuse of office, official misconduct, and desecration of the oath of office by the Edo Chief Judge.

Emwanta added that the letter was to formally request a complaint form as prescribed under the Judicial Discipline Regulations 2017 to enable his client to file his complaint against the state Chief Judge.

The letter titled “Re: Notice to obtain a complaint form to file a formal complaint against Hon Justice Daniel Okungbowa, the Chief Judge of Edo State, for abuse of office, official misconduct, and desecrating his oath of office,” reads in part, “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.”