Two members of the seven-man Justice Daniel Okungbowa panel to probe petition by the Edo State House of Assembly against deputy governor Philip Shaibu, Professor Boniface Onomion Edegbai and Professor Violet Aigbokhaevbo have been replaced.
No reason was given for their replacement as at the time of filing in this report yesterday.
Aigbokhaevbo and Edegbai, both of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) were among members of the earlier seven-man panel set up by the chief judge.
Aigbokhaevbo is from the Faculty of Law while Edegbai is from the Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology.
The chief registrar of the state High Court, B.O. Osawaru, had in a letter dated Friday, March 22, 2024, announced the constitution of a seven-man panel to probe the allegations of misconduct and perjury levelled against the deputy governor by the leadership of the state house of assembly.
Meanwhile, another letter dated March 25, 2024, signed by the same chief registrar of the court, did not have the names of the two professors. They were replaced by Mr President Aigbokhian and Mariam Erakhoba Ilavbare, both legal professionals.
The chairman of the panel remains Justice S.A. Omonua (rtd) while Professor Theresa Akpoghome, Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu, Andrew Oliha and Idris Abdulkareen are members.
The chief judge said the setting up of the panel was in line with Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
He also added that the panel was sequel to the resolution of the Edo State House of Assembly on the 19th of March 2024 which was sent to the chief judge of Edo State.
