Embattled Deputy Governor of Imo State, Sir Jude Agbaso, now has what is apparently his last chance to rescue his job in the face of the determination of the state’s lawmakers to impeach him for allegedly taking N458 million bribe from a contractor.

The last chance is in the form of a seven-man judicial panel of inquiry which the lawmakers today requested the state Chief Judge to set up to further investigate the allegations against Agbaso.

“This is another opportunity for the Deputy Governor to make his last defence as this is the last push for his impeachment,” a source close to the Imo State House of Assembly told News Express.

Already, 25 out of the 27 legislators across the parties have signed for Agbaso’s removal from office. This is in keeping with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, which requirements an independent probe by the Chief Judge before the impeachment of a state governor or deputy governor.

Sir Agbaso stands accused of demanding and collecting N458 million as gratification from J-PROS, one of the Contractors handling Sam Mbakwe Road in Owerri, the state capital.

Two days ago, Hon. (Dr.) Acho Ihim, Chairman, Committee on Information of the Imo State House of Assembly, disclosed that the House had resolved to serve Sir Agbaso notice of impeachment through a substituted means.

This, he said, became necessary as the deputy governor had neither shown up in his office nor in his official residence since his indictment by the House, thus making it difficult to serve him the notice of impeachment unanimously voted by the House.

•Photo: Sir Agbaso.