It was jubilation galore on Tuesday in Owerri, the Imo State capital, when Justice Benjamin Iheaka of Owerri High Court nuffied the impeachment of the state Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere.
The state House of Assembly last July impeached Madumere on six counts ranging from negligence of duty, gross misconduct, among others. The state lawmakers also suspended members of the House suspected to be loyal to the deputy governor.
But in his three hours judgment, Justice Iheaka said that process leading to the impeachment of deputy governor smacks impunity and violation of constitutional procedures.
He said that the state Chief Judge acted in an error by constituting a 7-man panel outside the proscribed time frame.
According to him, for the state Assembly acting on the report of the panel amounts to illegality since the panel was not properly constituted. He therefore urged the state lawmakers, Chief Judge or any other agent not to set up any panel in future to impeach Madumere since there is pending suit before the court on the matter.
Addressing newsmen in his campaign office in Owerri, Madumere said that the judgment is victory for democracy. He said that the the judiciary has proven to be the last hope of the common man. He stressed that the judgment is victory against intimidation and threats.
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