Agbaso Loses Bid To Stop His Impeachment As Dep Gov

 

An Owerri High Court yesterday struck out a motion by embattled Imo Deputy Governor Jude Agbaso to stop the impeachment process against him, by the House of Assembly.

The Presiding Judge, Justice F.I. Duruohaigwe, said it would be unnecessary to grant the motion, since the applicant was not challenging the impeachment.

Agbaso had prayed the court to restrain the state legislature from proceeding with the impeachment process which began last week.

He also prayed the court to restrain the Police from harassing him or acting upon the recommendations of the Assembly against him.

The court, however, granted the applicant’s prayer, seeking to serve the respondents processes for the substantive suit through substituted means.

Counsel to the applicant Patrick Ikweto (SAN), told the court that the respondent infringed on the fundamental rights of the deputy governor by investigating and indicting him in its report.

Counsel to the respondent, Chief Akintola Adeniyi (SAN), argued that the court had no jurisdiction to make any order in the matter.

He argued that the matter was primarily a case of impeachment, which the House of Assembly is constitutionally empowered to handle.

He submitted that the applicant contradicted himself by joining impeachment and right infringement in his application.

The court adjourned hearing on the substantive suit to March 27