Court nullifies impeachment of ex-Imo deputy gov — eight years later

A high court in Owerri has voided the impeachment of Jude Agbaso as deputy governor of Imo state.

Agbaso who was deputy to Rochas Okorocha, former Imo governor, was impeached by the state house of assembly on March 28, 2013, over allegations that he collected N458m and Red Label scotch whiskey as bribes from J-Pro, a construction firm.

Aggrieved, the ex-deputy governor had contested his impeachment in court.

Ruling on the matter on Monday, I.S Opara, trial judge, gave the consent judgment after parties in the suit opted to settle out of court.

Chijioke Emeka, counsel to Agbaso, had informed the court that parties in the suit including his client, the state governor, the state house of assembly and the chief judge of the state had on February 1 drafted terms of settlements which were filed before the court on February 2.

In his judgment, Opara said the terms of settlements had become a consent judgement of the court.

Speaking with journalists after the court session, Emeka said that following the judgment, all entitlements due to his client as a former deputy governor of the state has been restored and he is legally authorised to hold public positions.

He said the parties had to “shift grounds” in order to peacefully agree on the terms of settlements.

Reacting to the judgment, Agbaso said he felt delighted to be “vindicated” of fraud allegations after eight years.

He accused Okorocha of intentionally framing him up “just to get me out of the way”.

“It has been a torturous eight years but I thank the good people of Imo State. I thank the government of Senator Hope Uzodinma for its bold stand, which hastened the resolution,” he said.