Swearing In Of New Imo State Deputy Governor Stopped By Court

A drama of some sort seems to be playing in Imo State with the impeachment of the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, and efforts by Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha to acquire a new deputy, his third, since coming to power 7 years ago.

 
Eze Madumere who replaced Jude Agbaso was impeached on Monday, 30 July 2018, by the Imo State House of Assembly, following several allegations which included neglect of duty and a prison record in the United States. Madumere and Governor Okorocha are close friends with working and business relationships spanning over two decades.
Madumere’s impeachment ended several comedies and speculation in the House of Assembly. But another drama began to unfold when the attempt to replace Madumere the very next day, by swearing in a deputy Governor ridiculously failed.
A crowd that gathered at the Sam Mbakwe expanded executive chamber to witness the swearing-in of Calistus Ekenze, Head of Service and Madumere’s kinsman from Mbaitoli Local Government Area in Imo State, as Okorocha’s deputy, left with disappointment and confusion, because of a court order putting things on hold.
Chief Judge, Paschal Nnadi, arrived at the scene, and instead of the swearing-in ceremony taking place as expected, read out an exparte order restraining himself and his colleagues from swearing in anyone, pending the outcome of Madumere’s impeachment case which was also before a court.
It then, follows that Madumere may have been impeached by Imo House of Assembly while his case was still in court. The House has, however, claimed to be unaware of that court injunction.