Okorocha reacts to court ruling stopping swearing-in of new deputy governor

Governor Anayo Rochas Okorocha

Imo State Governor Anayo Rochas Okorocha has reacted to the court order stopping him from swearing in a new Deputy Governor.

His estranged Deputy Eze Madumere was on Monday impeached by the state House of Assembly over allegations of gross misconduct.

But, a High Court in Owerri, the state capital stopped the swearing-in of Madumere's replacement Calistus Ekenze as the new Deputy Governor. 

Reacting to the court order, Okorocha said he would respect the court order.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sam Onwuemeodo, Okorocha said he has called on his party members to remain law abiding.

The statement reads, “The Scheduled swearing-in of the new Deputy-Governor of the State, Sir Calistus Ekenze, on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 by 9am, could not take place again following the directive by the State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha that the Interim Court Order restraining the Chief Judge of the State from carrying out the exercise be fully obeyed.

“The venue of the Scheduled Swearing-in, the Sam Mbakwe Exco Chamber was full to the brim by guests including Senior government functionaries and APC leaders in the State when the governor’s directive came through the Attorney-General of the State, Barr. M.O. Nlemedim in respect of the Court Order.

“The governor had insisted that the interim Order be obeyed not minding some issues raised by Senior Lawyers in the government against the Order, insisting that his administration must continue to obey valid Court Orders and also served on the government or agents of the government.

“It should be recalled that the nineteen (19) members of the State House of Assembly had on Monday, July 30, 2018 impeached the former Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere following the submission last Friday, of the report of the Panel that investigated the accusations against him.

“It should also be recalled that the Deputy-Governor had earlier got an order against the impeachment process, on July 5, 2018 by a State High Court, but the Order was vacated and described as a“nullity” by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja presided over by Justice O.A Musa on July 16, 2018.

“The governor has urged all Imo people and all the Parties in the matter to remain law-abiding and allow the law to take its course.”