Imo Assembly Impeaches Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere

www.odogwublog.com reports that despite a court order stopping further process, the Imo State House of Assembly led by Rt Hon Acho Ihim this evening impeached the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere amidst tight security.

The impeachment came hours after Madumere secured a court order stopping further impeachment moves.

19 out of the 27 lawmakers supported the impeachment. 

Majority leader representing Owerri municipal state constituency, Hon Lugard Osuji had moved the motion and was supported by his Owerri West counterpart, Hon Onyewuchi.

The Speaker of the House, Acho Ihim, said the impeachment followed the outcome of a report of a 7-man panel which was constituted by the Chief Judge of the state to investigate allegations of gross misconduct and abandonment of office by the Deputy Governor.

Madumere has been locked in a battle of supremacy with Governor Rochas Okorocha following his refusal to support the candidacy of the Governor's Chief of Staff, Uche Nwosu to be the next Governor of Imo State.

The number two citizen had joined forces with other stalwarts of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to battle Okorocha's influence in the party.

Madumere was Okorocha's second Deputy Governor, as the first, Chief Jude Agbaso was impeached under the guise of financial impropriety which was later found out to be false.

Before Madumere's impeachment, political leaders including the Clergy had told the lawmakers to shun the move, so as not to overheat the polity.

Madumere had yesterday morning secured a court order wherein Justice Iheaka ordered that the panel stop any further process until the determination of the substantive suit. 

The Speaker and Chief Judge were parties in the suit.