An Imo State High Court sitting in Owerri has stopped Mr Calistus Ekenze from being sworn in as the new Deputy Governor of the state.
The court ruling came in on Tuesday morning just as Mr Ekenze was about to be sworn in.
The Attorney-General of the state, Miletus Nlemadim, informed top government officials gathered for the ceremony at Exco Chambers of the Government House in Owerri about the ruling which halted the process.
The swearing, which was supposed to hold at 10 pm, was halted around 12 noon after the ruling.
Imo State Governor Rochas Okorcha had nominated Mr Ekenze as deputy governor after the impeachment of Mr Eze Madumere.
The Imo State House of Assembly impeached Mr Madumere on Monday when 19 out of 27 members backed his removal.
According to the Speaker, Mr Madumere’s impeachment followed a report of a 7-man panel, constituted by the Chief Judge of the state to investigate allegations of gross misconduct.
Immediately after, the Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Acho Ihim, read a letter from Governor Okorocha nominating Ekenze, the Head of Service in the state, as the new deputy governor.
