Court stops swearing-in of new Imo Deputy Governor

An Owerri high court has stopped the swearing-in of  Mr Calistus Ekenze as the new Deputy Governor of Imo state.

The court gave an interim order stopping the swearing-in ceremony following an application  by Mr Eze Madumere who is challenging his impeachment as deputy governor of the state.

The ruling came on the heels of preparations swear in  Ekenze as the new deputy governor.

Top government officials had started gathering at the Sam Mbakwe Exco Chambers inside the Government House in Owerri where the swearing-in was supposed to take place as early as 10 am.

But just after waiting for over two hours for the commencement of the ceremony, the Imo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for justice, Miletus Nlemadim, announced that the state government had complied with a fresh order from the court preventing the Chief Judge of the state, Pascal Nnadi, from swearing-in Mr Ekenze.

According to the Attorney-General, the state government is law-abiding and respects the rule of law and as such obeyed the court order.

He however explained that the state government is doing everything possible to vacate the order to enable the state government to swear in the deputy governor designate on a future date.

Meanwhile, the state Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has urged all parties to be calm and obey the court order to prevent any breakdown of law and order in the state.

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorcha had nominated Mr Ekenze as deputy governor after the impeachment of Mr Eze Madumere.

The Imo State House of Assembly impeached  Madumere  when 19 out of 27 lawmakers backed his removal.