The Chairman of the National Judicial Council and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has snubbed the impeached Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu over his request for a complaint form to move against the state Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.
The lawyer to the impeached Deputy Governor, Andrew Emwanta, made the disclosure on Monday.
This is as Emwanta also said that pressures are mounting on Shaibu to drop his plan to oust the state chief judge from office.
The lawyer said that in view of the appeals coming from several quarters, Shaibu was weighing his options.
Recall that Shaibu, through Emwanta, had last week written to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, requesting a complaint form to file a formal petition against the Chief Judge of Edo, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.
On the request of the Edo State House, the Chief Judge had set up a seven-man panel to probe alleged perjury and leaking of the government’s secrets against Shaibu.
The seven-man panel, headed by retired Justice S.A. Omonuwa, concluded the probe on Friday, April 5, and sent its report to the Assembly on Monday, April 8.
The Assembly, after considering the report of the probe, declared Shaibu guilty of the offence of leaking the state government’s secrets and subsequently impeached him.
Shaibu, however, described his removal as an illegality, vowing to challenge it through the instrumentality of the law.
Sharing an update on the matter, Emwanta said, “There has been no response by the CJN to Shaibu’s request for a formal complaint against the state Chief Judge, Andrew Okungbowa.
“But there are moves to stay further action, as appeals have come from certain quarters for further action not to be taken against the Edo CJ. That’s why we are not proceeding for now.”
When asked if he meant the former deputy governor was dropping his complaint due to the appeals, Emwanta said, “I didn’t say so. There are appeals for him to do so, I believe this clarification is sufficient.”
