Despite the fact that the impeachment saga of the former Imo State Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso has come and gone, yet the aftermath consequences are still vibrating in Imo House of Assembly, headed by Hon Benji Uwajumogu.
Trumpeta was informed that forces have been marshaled out to commence recall process of the member representing Owerri North, Hon Don Ikpeazu following his role before, during and after the impeachment of Sir Jude Agbaso.
Hon Dan Ikeazu was the only person among the twenty seven members of the Imo House of Assembly who refused gratifications, coercion, intimidation and pressure to endorse his signature against the removal of Agbaso.
This act, which many see as a noble behaviour, is rather breeding bad omen for Ikpeazu as the forces who saw to the removal of Jude Agbaso have now trained their gaze on Ikpeazu, whom sources said is on his way out of the Assembly if nothing is done fast.
It was learnt that both the men and resources to commence Dan Ikpeazu’s recall have been put in place for the project to begin and end successfully.
The exercise, Trumpeta learnt, will commence with a suspension which would be slammed on Ikpeazu over a fictitious allegation, from hence he may not return to the House, while recall process will also be going on the side.
It was learnt that a member of the House from Owerri zone will raise the issue, from where the hawks will take over and finish the project.
Ikpeazu, since his refusal to endorse Jude Agbaso’s removal, has been seen by his colleagues as a “traitor” than a patriot and therefore marked for destruction, as they believe his moral standard is higher than what optains in the House, as he stands a stumbling block to other future deals.
Two politicians from Agbala Ward, Ikpeazu’s village, have been recruited to spearhead the action, with others from Ihitte Ogada, Amaeze, Ulakwo and Naze respectively.
This cabal had their first secret meeting on Sunday in a room of a popular hotel at New Owerri.
However, some people from Owerri North have vowed to resist any attempt to suspend or recall Dan Ikpeazu because he refused to join those who removed Jude Agbaso, whom he is representing in the House of Assembly.
“How many politicians today can do what Hon Ikpeazu did by refusing Millions of Naira to stand by his principle? Were they expecting him to join those who signed for Jude Agbaso’s impeachment without verifiable facts? Dan Ikpeazu knows that there is tomorrow, and the people of Owerri North are solidly behind him” Barr Ben Obinna told Trumpeta.
A source close to Ikpeazu said the Lawmaker is not aware of any plot against him as he is busy giving dividends of Democracy to Owerri North Constituency, adding that Ikpeazu has done a lot for his people and does not believe they can work against him.
Meanwhile, a High Court sitting in Owerri has ruled in favour of the impeached Deputy Governor of Imo State, Sir Jude Agbaso granting him leave to withdraw the suit he filed last month challenging his impeachment.
This followed an objection earlier raised by counsel to the Imo State Government some weeks ago trying to stop Agbaso’s application to withdrawal the suit. The matter was slated for ruling on June 4 2013 but surprisingly, the ruling was delivered on 29th April 2013.
It could be remembered that last month, the Imo State Government commenced impeachment proceedings against Sir Agbaso over collection of 458 Million Naira from a contractor handling a road project in Owerri. While the impeachment process was on-going, Sir Agbaso filed two cases challenging the impeachment procedure. In one of the cases, Agbaso tried to stop his impeachment through a Fundamental Right Enforcement Procedure but the court struck it out on lack of jurisdiction. It is said that Agbaso is challenging the sticking-out of this case at the Court of Appeal.
On the other hand, the withdrawn case was challenging the procedure adopted by the Imo Government for Agbaso’s impeachment. Incidentally, while this case was still pending in court, the Emekuku-Born former Deputy Governor was impeached.
Information from Sir Agbaso’s group says that the withdrawal of the suit was strategic as it would enable the embattled former Imo number two citizen file a fresh suit that will completely take care of all the alleged perceived flaws in his impeachment.
However, emerging facts have it that the said N458 Million bribe allegedly collected by Sir Agbaso from the contractor has been traced to the contractor’s foreign accounts in Dubai and Lebanon. These facts seem to be indicting Imo Government as one of the Governor’s close aides is said to be a director in the contractor’s company.
Ironically, since the emerging facts came to lime light, the state government has not refuted this indictment.
However, many top Government Officials in the state have been guests to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) over the bribery scam.
