By Baron Ike
Despite the court summons served the Imo State chief Judge, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly and the Assembly itself to follow constitutionally laid down rule of service in respect of impeachment process, the lawmakers on Tuesday took the option of substituted service to impeach the deputy governor, Eze Madumere.
The House of Assembly officially have been desperate with an impeachment notice, failing in the first instance to serve Madumere personally as stipulated by the constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria and reconvening on Monday to tinker with the option of substituted service even when Madumere had approached the court to interpret their actions.
Governor Rochas Okorocha is believed to be gooding the Acho Ihim-led Assembly to impeach his deputy, a move that is being resisted by Imo people who have also shown that be protesting in Owerri on Monday.
The protesters believe that the move to impeach Madumere is a reward to the deputy governor for the sharp disagreement he had with the governor over who succeeds him in 2019.
The impeachment notice for “gross misconduct,” which was served on the deputy governor through a substituted means (newspaper publications) on Tuesday in Owerri was signed by the Speaker, Acho Ihim; and and 13 other lawmakers.
The other lawmakers who signed the impeachment notice are: Ugonna Ozuruigbo (Nwangele); Chinedu Offor (Onuimo); Ikechukwu Amuka (Ideato South ); Lawrence Duruji (Ehime Mbano); Uche Ejiogu (Ihittte Uboma); Henry Ezediaro (Oguta); Maxwell Odunze(Orlu) and Lloyd Chukwuemeka (Owerri North).
Others include: Chika Madumere (Nkwerre); Uju Onwudiwe (Njaba); Nogozi Obiefule (Isu); Victor Onyewuchi (Owerri West); and Arthur Egwim (Ideato North).
The impeachment notice was tagged, “Notice of gross misconduct,” and it outlined the alleged misconduct and addressed to Madumere.
The Speaker said the notice of service was in pursuant of Section 188(2)(b) of the 1999 constitution.
Okorocha
It reads in part: “Take notice that pursuant to Section 188(2)(b) of the 1999 constitution, I Right Honourable Acho Ihim, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Imo State of Nigeria, do hereby serve upon you Prince Eze Madumere, Deputy Governor, Imo State of Nigeria, the notice of misconduct, duly issued under the hand of not less than one-third of the members of the Imo State House of Assembly.”