The seven-man panel, led by Justice S. Omonua, investigating the impeachment petition against the Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, have adjourned sitting to Friday, April 5, 2024, to enable the defendant present his defence.

The panel said the adjournment would be it’s last in the matter.

Recall that Professor Oladoyin Awoyale, SAN, Counsel to the respondent had at the inaugural sitting on Wednesday, withdrawn from participating in the panel proceedings after the panel ruled against his motion.

Awoyale had in his submission, urged the panel to comply with a Federal High Court, Abuja, order by J.E. Ekwo that the panel show cause why an interlocutory injunction to maintain status quo proceedings pending the determination of the case should not be granted to the plaintiff (Philip Shaibu).

He prayed the panel to wait for the decision of the Federal High Court on the matter slated for April 8, 2024.

At the end of the day’s sitting in the absence of the defendant, the panel adjourned to Thursday (today) for the respondent to present its defence.

Meanwhile, at its resumed sitting on Thursday, the defendant was conspicuously absent, except the counsel to the complainant

Before the adjournment, Omonua said the proceedings were adjourned to enable the respondent present his defence.

He said, ”records of yesterday’s sitting showed that we adjourned to today (Thursday) for the defendant to present its defence.

“We will still give the defendant the opportunity to present its defence.

“We can see that the defendant is not here to present its defence.

“As a result, we will be adjourning to Friday, April 5, 2024, for the last to noon for the defendant to present its defence”, he said.