IMO State House of Assembly Monday insisted that the impeachment process against Deputy Governor Jude Agbaso would go on and that it would not allow external forces to deter it from carrying out its duties.
Also, the state Chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Eze Duruiheoma (SAN), expressed its support for the investigation and impeachment process going on at the 27-member Assembly which it said was an indication that issues of corruption were dogging the current APGA administration of Chief Rochas Okorocha.
He denied that the PDP was in any way connected to the matter, adding that the Okorocha government had not met the people’s expectations.
Agbaso had at the weekend denied receiving a notice of impeachment, stressing that he has not resigned and will not do so. The embattled deputy governor insisted that those accusing him of receiving the gratification should prove where the account was credited and text messages on the alleged transaction.
But the Assembly yesterday insisted that he took the bribe while affirming that the impeachment process already commenced would take the course prescribed by the constitution.
Dr. Acho Ihim, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, in a statement in Owerri also denied that the impeachment move was linked to permutations on the 2015 general elections, explaining that it was pursuant to the resolve of the lawmakers to stamp out corruption from all facets of the state.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the travails of His Excellency, Sir Jude Agbasso have nothing to do with 2015 rivalry, ethnic or zonal politics and indeed whipping up undue sentiments”, he said.
Chief Ihim clalmed that Agbaso’s indictment followed due process as stipulated in Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and after a resolution of the House accepting the report of a special committee that investigated the deputy governor.
Specifically, the statement said “that in the cause of Interaction and investigation, J-Pros International Ltd (Mr Joseph Dina -it’s Managing Director) confessed that they abandoned their site” because he demanded and collected the sum of N458 million only from him.
Hon Ihim said the committee thereafter invited the deputy governor and found enough evidence of “collaboration” , pointing out that Agbasso was duly indicted.
‘It is therefore mischievous, sacrilegious and cheap blackmail for anybody or indeed group of persons to try to divert attention from the real issues at stake,” Ihim stated.
Ihim stressed that two committees earlier set up on road contracts in the state allegedly nailed the deputy governor on the allegation.
The statement insisted that the two committees headed by Semion Iwunze (Isiala Mbano) and Bro Stan Dara (Orsu) had found the implicating matters, adding that there were discrepancies on the award of contracts to Timik Nigeria Limited, J PROS International Nigeria Limited and others.
The assembly noted that it was not proper for some sections of the media and public to accuse the state or assembly of bias.
The statement stated: “The fact of the matter remain that the report of the Special Committee indicted the deputy governor. The Imo state House of Assembly will therefore not allow external forces to influence its constitutional duties”
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