By Baron Ike
The swearing in of a another deputy governor for Imo state on Tuesday ran in to hitch as non of the judges in the state accepted to carry out the role for fear of running foul of court contempt.
Clasitus Ekenze was on Monday named by the Imo State House of Assembly as the new deputy governor having proceeded to impeach Eze Madumere against a subsisting court order stopping same.
It was therefore drama in Imo State State Government House as Imo Judges refused to participate in the swearing-in ceremony of Governor Rochas Okorocha’s newly nominated deputy, Ekenze.
A restraining order of the court was served on the Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice Nnadi and other parties involved in the Deputy Governor’s impeachment debacle.
When government officials, guests and family members gathered at Sam Mbakwe Expanded Executive Chamber, the Attorney General of Imo State, Miletus Nlemadim dropped the hint that suggested the exercise will not take place again as planned.
Presiding Judge of High Court 8, Imo High Court, Owerri, Justice Benjamin Iheaka, on Monday, in his ruling on the request of Madumere’s lead Counsel, Ken Njemanze (SAN) for interlocutory injunction restraining the parties involved in the process of removing the Deputy Governor from the office, had submitted that for the sake of justice, the request was well placed.
Justice Iheaka granted an Order restraining the Chief Judge, Speaker and members of Imo State House of Assembly including the seven-man panel from further action until all matters that bothered on the constitutionality of the processes were determined.
In defiance to court order, Speaker Acho Ihim faction of the lawmakers loyal to Governor Okorocha proceeded to impeach the Deputy Governor in a manner that was clandestine.
Nlemadim was present in the court when Justice Iheaka made a restraining order.
The stoppage of the swearing in immediately brought some relief in the polity as people were seen discussing in groups, while others jubilated.