IMO IMPEACHMENT, NJEMANJE BERATES IMO ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR HIS ROLE

UGOCHUKWU EKE, OWERRI

Chief Ken Njemanze (SAN), the lead counsel to Imo state deputy governor, Prince Eze Madumere has chided the Imo State Attorney-General, Hon. Miletus Nlemadim over his role in the purported impeachment plot against his client.

The learned gentleman made this admonition during the hearing in a suit filed by the Deputy Governor of the State, Prince Madumere, against the Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Paschal Nnadi, Speaker, Hon. Acho Ihim, members of Imo State House of Assembly, seven (7) Man Panel of Inquiry and others.

Madumere is challenging the alleged constitutional breaches in the impeachment procedures against his person as the deputy governor of the state by the aforementioned persons and group of persons.

Njemanze expressed disappointment over the role played by the Attorney-General who was present in court on July 30, 2018 where the presiding Judge, Justice Benjamin Iheka granted explicit order, in the morning, restraining the Chief Judge of the State, Hon. Justice Paschal Nnadi, the Speaker with other members of Imo House of Assembly and members of 7 Man Panel of Inquiry from any further action pertaining to the impeachment proceeding of Prince Madumere.

Njemanze said that he was surprised to be informed at about 6 hours later that the members of Imo State House of Assembly had gone ahead with the purported impeachment of the Deputy Governor over frivolous allegations.

His words, “I am disappointed that Attorney-General, Hon. Nlemadim who should know the law and advised the House of Assembly appropriately but flagrantly allowed the House to do the wrong thing, thereby disobeying the Orders of the Court, even when he was in court yet allowed such illegality to happen”.

However, the lead Counsel to the Plaintiff, Chief Njemamze (SAN), submitted that he had served motion experte on the respondents to appear in court to say what they know about the purported impeachment proceeding despite a subsisting court Order.

In his defense, Hon Nlemadim, prayed that some of the respondents had not received the motion summoning them to appear before the court, adding that respondents 4 to 8 were yet to be served due to non-identification of the contact points.

Against this backdrop, Njemanze prayed that the respondents in question will be served by substituted means through the Office of the Chief Judge since they are members of the 7 Man Panel constituted by the Chief Judge.

The presiding Judge, Hon. Justice Iheka however adjourned the matter to August 20, 2018 to enable all parties involved in the matter be served appropriately.