By Ogochukwu Isioma in Benin City
Two members of the seven-man probe panel constituted by the Edo State Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to investigate the allegations levelled against the State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, have rejected their appointments.
Recall that the panel was constituted following the petition and motion for impeachment bothering on allegations of perjury and disclosure of government’s secrets against Shaibu by members of the Edo State House of Assembly.
The Chief Registrar of the State High Court, B. O. Osawaru, had in a statement, last week announced that Justice Okungbowa has assigned retired Justice S. A. Omonua to head the probe panel.
Other members are Prof. Violet Aigbokhaevo, Prof. Theresa Akpoghome, Mr. Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu, Prof. Boniface Omomion, Dr. Andrew Oliha and Mr. Idris Abdulkareem.
However, this online medium learned that two Professors have declined their membership of the panel. They are Violet Aigbokhaevo, a professor of Law and Boniface Onomion Edegbai, a professor of Plant Biology and Biotechnology — both at the University of Benin.
Although it was not immediately clear why the professors turned down their appointments as all efforts to obtain comments from them and Office of the Edo State Chief Judge were unsuccessful.
But, following their resignation, the Chief Judge, in a release through the Chief Registrar, on Monday reconstituted the probe panel and announced the replacement of the affected Professors.
The replacements are: President Aigbokhian (esquire), and Mariam Erhakhoba Ilavbare (esquire).
Aigbokhian is a citizen (seasoned?) journalist, lawyer and Freedom of Information (FoI) counsel.
While Ilavbare is the president, Princely Solicitors and Arbitrators.
