Imo State lawmakers sack deputy Gov.

19 out 27 members of the Imo State House of Assembly have reportedly sacked from office, the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Eze Madumere. This is coming less than 12hrs after news broke that Kano State lawmakers impeached the speaker of the State House of Assembly.

There has been no love lost between Gov. Rochas Anayo Okorocha of Imo State and his deputy after the governor decided to openly canvas votes for his son in-law, Uche Nwosu as his (Okorocha’s) successor. This is even as Madumere during the court canceled APC State congress, conspired with APC National Organizing Secretary, Osita Izunaso, Araraume etc to ensure that Okorocha’s candidates didn’t emerge.

The Assembly had earlier received a report by a seven-member panel set up by the state chief judge which allegedly indicted Mr. Madumere of gross misconduct.

The impeachment of the deputy governor almost at the same time a court in the state also barred the lawmakers from removing him (Madumere) from office.

It was learnt that a High Court Judge sitting in Owerri, Benjamin Iheka had given an interim order restraining the seven-member panel constituted by the chief judge of the state from submitting its report which would have halted the impeachment process.

Counsel to the former Imo State deputy Gov. Ken Njemanze, on Monday filed an originating summon over what he described as a constitutional breach in the work of the panel.

Mr. Njemanze explained he had filed an affidavit of urgency and wants justice to be served.

“We are very prepared to go on with the matter and parties have been served with the processes. And due to the nature of the subject matter of this suit, which concerns the office and person of the Deputy Governor.

”And considering that we have filed an affidavit of urgency, I humbly apply that the interest of justice in this matter will be served if the court makes an interim order, directing parties, particularly those served, to maintain status quo.”Mr Njemanze said.

“The court is likely going on vacation from the 31st of July, 2018 and the second to eight respondents, who were appointed by the chief judge, Paschal Nnadi, to investigate the deputy governor, have been inaugurated and sworn-in, to begin their assignment.

”If an order for the maintenance of the status quo is not made, the panellists will continue and conclude. The substratum will therefore be lost before the Court resumes”, Njemanze argued.

The lead counsel to the first respondents who is also the Attorney General of the Imo State, Miletus Nlemadim, opposed the motion brought by Mr Njemanze.

“We are opposing the application for an interim order. Our contention is that the grant of an interim order, will not serve the interest of justice.”

”This is an indirect way of getting the order. We expect an accelerated hearing. The panel’s job is provided for by the constitution. It will be unconstitutional to make an interim order,” Mr Nlemadim said.

After addressing the counsel representing the plaintiff and defendants, the judge, Benjamin Iheka, ruled that for justice to prevail, the matter should first be determined by the court.

The judge granted an interim order restraining the panel and every other party involved in the matter, including the House of Assembly, from taking further action pending the determination of the suit.

The judge, therefore, adjourned the matter to August 13.

It was yet to be confirmed if the order of the court was served on the lawmakers before the impeachment of the deputy governor.