Appeal Court Reinstates Bayelsa Deputy

Appeal Court Reinstates Bayelsa Deputy

The Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt has reinstated the impeached Bayelsa state Deputy Governor, Mr. Peremobowei Ebebi.

Ebebi had gone to court to challenge his impeachment in June 2010 by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.

Lack of jurisdiction

A three-man panel of judges on Wednesday quashed the initial order by the Yenagoa High Court, which upheld Ebebi's impeachment, ruling that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

In his lead judgment, Justice Dantijo Mohammed, said the House of Assembly's decision to set up an impeachment committee was taken in contempt of the court.

He directed that Ebebi be immediately reinstated as deputy-governor while the sitting Deputy-Governor, Werinipre Seibarugu, should vacate the position.

The court also ordered the payment of Ebebi's entitlements.

NAN/Yinka