A High Court in Imo State has ruled against the governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha and also voided the suspension of five Lawmakers of the Imo state House of Assembly.
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The Court reinstated the lawmakers and awarded them N8million as costs against the defendants.
According to the Presiding judge, Justice Goddy Anunihu, the process that led to the indefinite suspension of the five state legislators could best be described as putting the horse before the cart.
The defendants in the suit instituted by the lawmakers include; the Imo State House of Assembly, the Speaker, Acho Ihim and the governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha.
The affected lawmakers are: Chiiji Collins, Israel Nnataraoye, Nkenna Nzerue, Uche Oguwuike and Donatus Onuigwe representing Isiala Mbano, Mbaitoli, Ikeduru, Oru East and Oru West state constituencies respectively.
The lawmakers had been suspended by other members of the state assembly in July in what the speaker described as a conduct not worthy of lawmakers.
The lawmakers had been suspended for being staunch supporters of the former deputy governor Eze Madumere who had been impeached; he has since being reinstated by the court.
The presiding judge tongue-lashed the legislature for acting against the law and faulted the fact that an investigation team had been set up to look into the accusations of the lawmakers.
According to the presiding Judge, based on available evidence, the panel had been set up before the lawmakers were suspended.
Speaking on his experience, one of the affected lawmakers, Nnataraonye, said;
“I am in my office now. I have moved in and resumed duties immediately. This is victory for democracy and it shows that our judicial system is a place of justice.”