Impeachment: Okorocha reacts to court ruling stopping swearing-in of new deputy governor

Rochas Okorocha, Governor of Imo State, has reacted to the court order
stopping him from swearing in a new Deputy Governor.

DAILY POST recalls that Deputy Governor of Imo state, Eze Madumere was
on Monday impeached by the state House of Assembly over alleged gross
misconduct.

But, a High Court in Owerri, the state capital stopped the swearing-in
of Calistus Ekenze as the new Deputy Governor in place of Madumere.

Reacting to the court order, Okorocha said he would respect the court order.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sam Onwuemeodo,
Okorocha said had called on his party members to remain law abiding.

The statement reads, "The Scheduled swearing-in of the new
Deputy-Governor of the State, Sir Calistus Ekenze, on Tuesday, July
31, 2018 by 9am, could not take place again following the directive by
the State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha that the Interim Court
Order restraining the Chief Judge of the State from carrying out the
exercise be fully obeyed.

"The venue of the Scheduled Swearing-in, the Sam Mbakwe Exco Chamber
was full to the brim by guests including Senior government
functionaries and APC leaders in the State when the governor's
directive came through the Attorney-General of the State, Barr. M.O.
Nlemedim in respect of the Court Order.

"The governor had insisted that the interim Order be obeyed not
minding some issues raised by Senior Lawyers in the government against
the Order, insisting that his administration must continue to obey
valid Court Orders and also served on the government or agents of the
government.

"It should be recalled that the nineteen (19) members of the State
House of Assembly had on Monday, July 30, 2018 impeached the former
Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere following the submission last
Friday, of the report of the Panel that investigated the accusations
against him.

"It should also be recalled that the Deputy-Governor had earlier got
an order against the impeachment process, on July 5, 2018 by a State
High Court, but the Order was vacated and described as a"nullity" by
the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja presided over
by Justice O.A Musa on July 16, 2018.

"The governor has urged all Imo people and all the Parties in the
matter to remain law-abiding and allow the law to take its course."