Court stops lawmakers from impeaching Benue governor

The impeachment process initiated against Benue state Governor

According to reports, the high court in Makurdi, capital of Benue state, restrained eight members of the state assembly from proceeding with the impeachment process on Wednesday, August 1, 2018.

The eight lawmakers led by Terkibir Ikyange, were also restrained by the court from sitting while their suspension was also upheld pending the determination of the motion on notice.

Ikyangewas removed as the Speaker of the Benue state House of Assembly.

The presiding judge, Theresa Igoche ruled on the application on orders restraining the eight members from sitting.

Igoche also restrained Adam Onum, chief judge of Benue, from receiving or acting on any process or request issued “pursuant to the purported sitting, proceedings and resolutions of 30th July, 2018 aimed at or commenced for the purpose of removing governor of the state, pending the determination of the motion on notice”.

ALSO READ: 8 Benue APC lawmakers move to impeach Governor Ortom

The judge also ordered security agencies to vacate the premises of the assembly.

Ortom says impeachment notice makes no sense

Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, blasted the eight members of the Benue State House of Assembly who served him an impeachment notice, noting that the ridiculousness of the situation proves the country is a 'shithole'.

On Monday, July 30, 2018, impeached Speaker of the House, Terkimbi Ikyange, led seven other members, who belong to the All Progressives' Congress (APC), to accuse Ortom of embezzling N22 billion from security votes and N32 billion from local government funds, while neglecting to pay the salaries of workers and pensioners.

The lawmakers took over the House of Assembly complex reportedly with the help of police officers who prevented the other 22 lawmakers of the 30-member House from gaining entry into the legislative chamber.