By Chidi Nkwopara
OWERRI—Barring any unforeseen circumstances, an Imo State High Court presided over by Justice Ben C. Iheka, will today, commence hearing into the suit, filed by the embattled Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, against his impeachment.
Recall that soon after members of Imo State House of Assembly announced his impeachment, Madumere approached the Court again, urging it to set aside his purported removal from office.
One of the major pillars on which Madumere hinged his prayer, was that the lawmakers defied a court order restraining them from doing anything that would affect the subject matter of the suit.
At the August 13, 2018, sitting, Madumere’s counsel, Prince Ken Njemanze, told the court that five members of the seven-man panel “have remained evasive and could not be served with the processes.”
He then urged the court to order substituted service on the five panelists, to enable the suit to go on in view of the urgency and seriousness of the matter.
Handing down the order, Justice Iheka said he had carefully read through the Motion Exparte for substituted service, dated and filed on August 13, 2018, the supporting affidavit deposed thereto and the written address of counsel.
“And after hearing K.en Njemanze, SAN, with N. J. C. Chijioke Esq, counsel to the Plaintiff/Applicant, leave was granted to the Applicant as Plaintiff in this suit number HOW/565/2018, to effect service of the Motion on Notice, dated July 31, 2018, and filed on August 1, 2018, on the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th defendants in this suit, by substituted means”, Justice Iheka said.
He also ordered the publication of same in three newspapers with wide circulation in Imo State and Nigeria.
“This service is herein ordered, when duly complied with, shall be deemed good, proper and effective service in this proceedings”, Iheka said.
