Court halts swearing in of new Imo deputy governor

An Imo state high court has halted the swearing-in of Calistus Ekenze as the new deputy governor of the state.

This was announced as Pascal Nnadi, chief judge of the state, was about administering oath of office on Ekenze on Tuesday morning.

Ekenze was to replace Eze Madumere who was impeached by the state house of assembly on Monday.

The court had first ruled that the panel set up regarding the impeachment process should suspend further action.

Madumere then returned to court seeking an order to overturn his impeachment.

In a fresh interim order, the court stopped put the swearing-in ceremony on hold pending its final ruling.

The attorney-general informed the gathering that the state would obey the order but would file an application seeking vacation of the order in coming days.

WHY WAS MADUMERE IMPEACHED?

On July 10, the assembly commenced impeachment proceedings against Madumere for allegedly abandoning his duties for a long time and refusing to carry out official duties assigned to him by the governor.

Earlier, Acho Ihim, the speaker, suspended a lawmaker who kicked against the impeachment process.

Before now, the house had suspended the pro-Madumere lawmakers who are in the minority.

Madumere emerged deputy governor following the ousting of Jude Agabso but his governorship ambition pitched him against Rochas Okorocha, the incumbent governor.