Court Stops Swearing-in of Imo Deputy Gov

Pat Steven/

A High Court in Owerri today stopped the swearing-in of Callistus Ekenze, Head of Civil Service of Imo State, as Deputy Governor.

The Imo House of Assembly on Monday sacked the former deputy governor Eze Madumere at the end of an impeachment proceedings, despite a court order stopping the process.

But today, the court made another ruling stopping the swearing-in of Madumere’s successor.

The Attorney General and Commissioner For Justice for the state, Barr. Miletus Nlemedim, conveyed the latest order to Governor Rochas Okorocha and hence the cancellation of the swearing-in of Ekenze by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Pascal Nnadi.

Nlemedim also informed the crowd gathered to witness the ceremony and halted it.

Madumere had succeeded in securing an interim injunction, restraining the swearing in of Ekenze.

The state High Court on Monday gave an order stopping the state House of Assembly from continuing the impeachment of Madumere.

Justice Iheka of the state high court gave the order following an application by the counsel to the deputy governor, Ken Njemanze (SAN) in which he informed the court that his client had requested the court to stop the impeachment process.

A panel of inquiry was set up by the chief judge to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct levelled against Madumere by the state House of Assembly.

Justice Iheka therefore ordered the state House of Assembly and the state’s Attorney General to maintain status quo pending the decision of the court.

The case has been adjourned till August 13.

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