Efforts by the Imo State House of Assembly to remove the deputy governor, Jude Agbaso, suffered a setback after an Owerri High Court presided over by Justice Florence Duruoha-Igwe ruled Monday that the Chief Judge should maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit against the plan to impeach Agbaso; and given the embattled Deputy Governor some temporary reprieve.
“As a high legal officer, the Chief Judge knows when a matter is subjudice and in the circumstance, status quo should remain pending the determination of the substantive suit.”
In the suit, the Agbaso’s counsel, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), prayed the court to order the Imo State House of Assembly stop the impeachment process against Agbaso.
“We are merely asking the court to determine the applicant’s right of fair hearing. We are merely asking the court to allow the applicant exercise the fundamental human right,” he argued, insisting that the ongoing probe of Agbaso infringes on the rights of the applicant.
The respondent’s counsel, Niyi Akintola (SAN), had argued that the court has no jurisdiction to entertain the matter, maintaining that the probe had moved from the House of Assembly to the Chief Judge, who in turn had constituted a panel to investigate the issues raised against the deputy governor.
The CJ had, at the weekend, named the seven -member panel to investigate Agbaso who was accused of “gross misconduct”. The CJ had fixed today, March 19, 2013 for inauguration of the panel.
