, By DADA AYOKHAI
The impeachment proceedings against embattled Edo State deputy governor, Hon. Philip Shaibu has continued to gather momentum and is also going at a fast-paced speed .
Hon. Shaibu was conspicuously absent at the last hearing of the seven-member panel set up by the Edo State Chief Judge to investigate the allegations leveled against the deputy governor by the Edo state assembly.
The seven-member panel is headed by a retired justice of the high court, Justice S. A. Omonuwa. The panel resumed its hearing on Wednesday in Benin, the Edo State capital .
Among the charges against Hon. Shaibu were allegations bordering on perjury and the disclosure of confidential information.
The seven-member panel, however, concluded its hearing on Friday without the embattled deputy governor or his legal representative appearing before it .
The report of the panel is expected to submit its findings to the state assembly within the shortest possible time.
Watchers of the Edo political space, however, believe the findings of the seven-member panel would ultimately determine the next line of action to be taken by the state assembly.
The petitioner, in this case, the Edo State House of Assembly, had earlier on Wednesday completed the presentation of its case thus setting the stage for the defence team to mount a robust offensive against the allegations
Hon. Shaibu’s counsel, Oladoyin Awoyale was present at the first hearing. He, however, withdrew when his request to halt further proceedings pending the outcome of the lawsuit filed by Hon. Shuaib in Abuja contesting the impeachment process was denied by the panel
Awoyale’s departure did not halt proceedings.
The chairman of the panel, Justice Omonuwa later permitted the Deputy Clerk, Mr. Joe Ohafi to outline its case against the deputy governor.
The seven-member panel, chaired by a retired high court judge, Justice S. A. Omonuwa, commenced hearing on Wednesday in Benin, the Edo State capital
