Chidi Samuel|
The impeachment of Imo state deputy governor, Eze Madumere was on Tuesday nullified by an Owerri high court.
The presiding judge, Benjamin Iheka, ruled that Madumere’s impeachment did not follow due process, therefore making it illegal, null and void.
The judge criticised the state chief judge, Paschal Nnadi and the commissioner of justice, Militus Nlemadim, for not adhering to the provisions of section 188(5) of the 1999 constitution as amended in the impeachment.
According to Iheka, the seven-man panel constituted to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct against Madumere acted outside the seven days lifeline provided by the constitution.
The Imo state house of Assembly impeached Madumere on July 31, following the commencement of impeachment On July 10, 2018.
The embattled deputy governor was accused of abandoning his duties and refusing to carry out official duties assigned to him by the governor, among others.
Madumere became Imo state deputy governor during Okorocha’s first term in office following the impeachment of Jude Agbaso, the first deputy governor.
Madumere and his principal, Rochas Okorocha is currently at logger heads over who will become the next governor of Imo state. Whereas Okorocha wants his son-in-law to replace him, Madumere wants to be the next governor of the state.
Both Okorocha and Madumere belong to different factions of the ruling APC.