Court issues order to Imo Assembly on move to impeach Dep Gov

Imo State House of Assembly has been ordered to suspend it’s ongoing process to impeach the state Deputy Governor Prince Eze Madumere.

A Federal High Court in Abuja gave the order while granting an application by Madumere, praying it to halt the impeachment process against him by the state’s lawmakers.

The Assembly last Tuesday set up a six-member committee headed by Kennedy Ibe, who represents Obowo Local Government Area, to investigate the deputy governor’s alleged abdication of office and that he is an ex-convict in the United States for theft.

Apparently in a bid to quicken Madumere’s impeachment, the committee on Thursday, less that 48 hours after being set up, submitted its report, saying that the embattled governor has a case to answer.

Following the report, Madumere was on the same day served a notice of impeachment by the House, which asked him to defend himself against the allegations.

Madumere, who had since denied the allegations and also claimed that the impeachment notice was not properly served on him, had sued the lawmakers and the state chief judge in court.

In the court papers which was made available to newsmen by counsel to Madumere, Johnmary Jideobi, Justice O. A. Musa said:

“Parties are to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of the motion on notice. Any party affected by this order may apply to set it aside for good cause.

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“Parties are to file a written argument addressing this court on its jurisdiction to entertain the instant suit.

“Motion on notice is adjourned to November 27,” he said.

The order to maintain status quo as directed by the court means that the deputy governor should not be impeached until the court case is determined.

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha is suspected to be behind the move to impeach his deputy, who is openly and ferociously opposing the governor’s efforts to have his Chief of Staff and son-in-law as his successor in 2019.

 

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