A high court in Imo State on Monday declared as null and void the suspension of five members of the state House of Assembly.
The presiding judge, Justice Goddy Anunihu, who declared the processes that led to the indefinite suspension of the five lawmakers as “putting the horse before the cart,” also awarded N8m as cost against the three defendants.
The affected lawmakers are: Chiiji Collins, Israel Nnataraoye, Nkenna Nzerue, Uche Oguwuike and Donatus Onuigwe.
They represent Isiala Mbano, Mbaitoli, Ikeduru, Oru East and Oru West state constituencies respectively.
The lawmakers were, in July, suspended by their colleagues in what the Speaker described as “un-parliamentary conduct.”
They were suspended during the crisis surrounding the impeachment of the state deputy governor, Eze Madumere.
The court had since reinstated Madumere.
The presiding judge who tongue-lashed the legislature for acting against the law, faulted the setting-up of an investigation team to look into the allegations against the now reinstated lawmakers.
One of the reinstated lawmakers, Nnataraonye, who spoke to our correspondent on the phone shortly after the judgment was delivered, said, “I am in my office now. I have moved in and resumed duties immediately.
“This is victory for democracy and it shows that our judicial system is a place of justice.”