There is jubilation and celebration among residents and supporters after the Imo state High Court sitting in Owerri declared the impeachment of Deputy Governor of the state, Eze Madumere as invalid and of no legal effect.

Madumere was removed from office in July by the House of Assembly for “gross misconduct”.

Nineteen of the 27 members of the Assembly voted for his removal after reviewing the report of the seven-man panel set up by the chief judge to investigate allegations of misconduct levelled against him.

The panel report, according to Speaker Acho Ihim, indicted Madumere.

Justice Benjamin Iheaka in his ruling which lasted for over two hours justice lashed the Chief Judge of the state, Paschal Nnadi and the Attorney General of the state, Militus Nlemadim for not following the provisions of section 188(5) of the 1999 constitution as amended in the impeachment of Madumere on July 31,2018.