The impeachment of Jude Agabaso, Deputy Governor of Imo State, was nullified by an Owerri High Court on Monday.
On March 28, 2020, the state House of Assembly impeached the deputy governor on a bribe allegation amounting to N485 million and red label drink from a construction firm, J-pros.
Agabso, who was then deputy governor to former governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha, contested the impeachment in court.
The trial judge, I.S Opara, said he’s was giving the consent judgment because the parties involved have decided to settle out of court.
Chijioke Emeka, counsel to Agbasao, said his client and the defending party, which include the Chief Judge of the state, the State House of Assembly, and the State Governor had on February 1 drafted settlement terms. He also said he had filed the draft settlement in court on February 2.
In his judgment brief, the Judge affirms that the terms of the settlement are now a consent judgment of the court.
Speaking to the press after the court session, Agabso counsel explained that the delivered judgment had made obsolete the impeachment of his client on March 28, 2013, as the deputy governor of the state.
He further disclosed that the ruling of the court had returned his clients as former deputy governor of the state; hence he can hold public office going forward.
Agbaso said. “It has been a torturous eight years, but I thank the good people of Imo State. I thank the government of Senator Hope Uzodinma for its bold stand, which hastened the resolution.”