POLITICAL CRISIS IN IMO STATE: Committee to Investigate Deputy Governor
The Imo State House of Assembly has set up a six-member committee to investigate allegations of gross misconduct leveled against the State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere.
The action followed a petition signed by thirteen members of the House which was presented by the Deputy Speaker, Chief Ugonna Ozuruigbo accusing the Deputy Governor of dereliction of duties.
It alleged that Prince Madumere had absconded from office for more than three months without permission, thereby failing to discharge his constitutional duties. Also contained in the petition was an allegation that the Deputy Governor concealed felonious conduct by presenting himself as eligible for the office he occupies despite his conviction and imprisonment for theft in the United States of America.
Consequently, the Speaker of the House, Chief Iheanacho Ihim constituted a probe panel to look into the allegations and report to the parliament within seven days.
Meanwhile, the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Mr. Uche Onwuchekwa has dismissed the allegations stating that his principal had been discharging his constitutional roles. In a statement, the Media aide insisted that the Deputy Governor could only attend State functions when communicated.
The representative of Oru west Constituency, Chief Donatus Onuigwe, was suspended during the plenary, making it five, the number of lawmakers suspended over alleged misconduct.
CHINAZO ILECHUKWU