Philip Shaibu, deputy governor of Edo State, has been impeached by the House of Assembly.
The lawmakers removed Shaibu, who has been having a running battle with Governor Godwin Obaseki, on Monday morning.
Shaibu had refused to honour invitations extended to him by the seven-man panel which investigated allegations against him.
After his refusal, the panel led by Justice S.A. Omonua (rtd) wrote its report and recommended his removal, saying Shaibu declined the opportunity for defence.
Impeachment: Drama as Edo Assembly’s counsel turns witness
At its sitting on Friday, Justice Omonua lamented the deputy governor’s absence.
“This is the position of the panel. The panel adjourned sitting to today (Friday) for the last time for the respondent to present its defence, and the respondent is still not before the panel,” he said.
Counsel to the former deputy governor, Professor Oladoyin Awoyale, SAN, had withdrawn from participating in the proceedings after the panel ruled against his motion.
Awoyale had urged the panel to comply with a Federal High Court, Abuja, that ordered the panel to show cause on why an interlocutory injunction to maintain status quo on the proceeding of the petition pending the determination of the case should not be granted to the plaintiff.
He, however, urged the panel to wait for the decision of the Federal High Court on the matter slated for April 8, 2024.