THE Imo
state House of Assembly on Thursday impeached the state’s Deputy Governor, Sir
Jude Agbaso on alleged misappropriation of the sum of N485 million following
the conclusion of an investigation on the allegations levelled against him by a
seven-man panel
state House of Assembly on Thursday impeached the state’s Deputy Governor, Sir
Jude Agbaso on alleged misappropriation of the sum of N485 million following
the conclusion of an investigation on the allegations levelled against him by a
seven-man panel
With the impeachment, which took place at
the close of working hours, it is now certain that the Chief Of staff to the
state governor, Prince Eze Madumere would replace Agbaso, having been
nominated already by the governor. Madumere may be sworn in next week after an
approval by the House.
the close of working hours, it is now certain that the Chief Of staff to the
state governor, Prince Eze Madumere would replace Agbaso, having been
nominated already by the governor. Madumere may be sworn in next week after an
approval by the House.
Madumere, 48, hails from the family of His
Royal Highness, Eze Henry Anorue Madumere and Ugoeze Malinda Madumere of Achi
Mbieri, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
Royal Highness, Eze Henry Anorue Madumere and Ugoeze Malinda Madumere of Achi
Mbieri, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
Meanwhile, the impeached Deputy Governor who
was absent at the hearing by the Investigative Panel which sat at the Council
of Traditional Rulers’ Secretariat Owerri, had earlier sent a protest letter
through his lawyer, Emperor Iwuala, claiming he has not been served any summons
as stipulated by law.
was absent at the hearing by the Investigative Panel which sat at the Council
of Traditional Rulers’ Secretariat Owerri, had earlier sent a protest letter
through his lawyer, Emperor Iwuala, claiming he has not been served any summons
as stipulated by law.
Agbaso in the letter duly signed by him
challenged the appointment and constitution of the panel by the Chief Judge of
Imo State and the subsequent unlawful inauguration and swearing in of the
chairman and members of the panel.
challenged the appointment and constitution of the panel by the Chief Judge of
Imo State and the subsequent unlawful inauguration and swearing in of the
chairman and members of the panel.
He said that since the matter to be
investigated are subjudice it behoves on the panel to respect the pendency of
the suit by allowing the law to take its course, adding that doing otherwise
will amount to pre-empting the decision of the High Court in the two pending
suits.
investigated are subjudice it behoves on the panel to respect the pendency of
the suit by allowing the law to take its course, adding that doing otherwise
will amount to pre-empting the decision of the High Court in the two pending
suits.
The House of Assembly which is the second
witness represented by their counsel, Niyi Akintola tendered all necessary and
certified documents including two votes and proceedings of Imo State House of
Assembly number 42 and 44 that preceeds the issuance of notice of impeachment
to the deputy governor.
witness represented by their counsel, Niyi Akintola tendered all necessary and
certified documents including two votes and proceedings of Imo State House of
Assembly number 42 and 44 that preceeds the issuance of notice of impeachment
to the deputy governor.
Akintola also tendered two affidavits of
service confirming that the deputy governor was served by the House of Assembly
before the panel.
service confirming that the deputy governor was served by the House of Assembly
before the panel.
Reacting to the letter tendered by the
deputy governor, Akintola intimated the panel that the suit 174 filed by the
former deputy governor had been dismissed on Thursday, March 28, 2013 at the
Owerri High Court, few hours before the panel hearing.
deputy governor, Akintola intimated the panel that the suit 174 filed by the
former deputy governor had been dismissed on Thursday, March 28, 2013 at the
Owerri High Court, few hours before the panel hearing.
Source: Tribune
