Court Nullifies Impeachment of Imo Dep Gov

By Amby Uneze in Owerri

A High Court sitting in Owerri on Tuesday nullified the removal of the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, by the House of Assembly, declaring the lawmakers’ action “invalid and of no legal effect”.

The presiding judge, Justice Benjamin Iheaka, who annulled the removal, slammed the State Chief Judge, Justice Paschal Nnadi, and the Attorney General of the state, Militus Nlemadim, for not adhering to the provisions of section 188 sub-section 5 of the1999 constitution as amended in the removal of Madumere.

THISDAY recalls that Madumere was removed from office on July 30 by a section of the Imo State House of Assembly following a motion moved by the member representing Owerri Municipal, Lugard Osuji.

The deputy governor was accused of abandoning his duty for three months and failure to carry out his constitutional duties among others. He was said to have signified interest to run for the governorship of the state, a step which many believed was the cause of his rift with Governor Rochas Okorocha who wanted his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, as his successor.

Details later…