***Lawmakers ask governor, deputy to defend gross misconduct allegations; ‘No letter received by govt’
Lawmakers on Monday served allegations of gross misconduct against Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu.
In the latest twist to the Rivers logjam, the lawmakers listed 19 constitutional infractions allegedly committed by the duo.
The notice was signed by 26 members of the House of Assembly.
However, the state government said no such correspondence had been received.
The lawmakers said their action is in line with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
The section states:
“(1) The Governor or Deputy Governor of a state may be removed from office in accordance with the provisions of this section:
“(2) Whenever a notice of any allegation in writing signed by not less than one-third of the members of the House of Assembly stating that the holder of such office is guilty of gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office, detailed particulars of which shall be specified.
“The speaker of the House of Assembly shall, within seven days of the receipt of the notice, cause a copy of the notice to be served on the holder of the office and on each member of the House of Assembly, and shall also cause any statement made in reply to the allegation by the holder of the office, to be served on each member of the House of Assembly.
“(3) Within fourteen days of the presentation of the notice to the speaker of the House of Assembly (whether or not any statement was made by the holder of the office in reply to the allegation contained in the notice-, the House of Assembly shall resolve by motion, without any debate whether or not the allegation shall be investigated.
“(4) A motion of the House of Assembly that the allegation be investigated shall not be declared as having been passed unless it is supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds majority of all the members of the House of Assembly.
“(5) Within seven days of the passing of a motion under the foregoing provisions of this section, the Chief Judge of the state shall at the request of the Speaker of the House of Assembly, appoint a Panel of seven persons who in his opinion are of unquestionable integrity, not being members of any public service, legislative house or political party, to investigate the allegation as provided in this section.”
The infractions are listed as follows:
•That Governor Fubara refused to present the 2024 Appropriation Bill to the House of Assembly contrary to Section 121(1)(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and despite the order of the Federal High Court asking him to do so.
•Governor Fubara withdrew and spent money from the consolidated revenue of the state in 2024 without any appropriation law.
•Governor Fubara violated Section 122 of the Constitution by authorising expenditures from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State even after the Rivers State House of Assembly declared a shutdown on Rivers State Government expenditure in its resolution.
•On February 28th 2025, the Supreme Court in its judgment validated the order of the Federal High Court confirming that the governor spent money without appropriation in 2024 and still had no appropriation in 2025 as well as ordered the CBN and Accountant-General of the Federation not to release the state’s allocation.
•Hindering or obstructing the Rivers State House of Assembly which is another arm of government protected by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) from performing her constitutional duties.
•Governor Fubara ordered and personally supervised the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly Hallowed Chamber and Auditorium at the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt on the 13th day of December 2023, against the 2023 order of the Federal High Court, which prohibited him from interfering in the activities of the Assembly.
•That in the judgment of the Federal High Court delivered in January 2024 by Justice Omotosho, Fubara was indicted when the judge said: ‘This court finds it strange that the 11th defendant as Chief Executive of the State would go to the extent of stopping the authentic House of Assembly from sitting through devious means such as destroying the House of Assembly Complex’.
•That the Supreme Court’s judgment took note of the demolition when it said: ‘Surprisingly on 13-12-23, in gross violation of the subsisting Order of the trial court, the appellant demolished Rivers State House of Assembly complex at Moscow Road and secretly arranged four members of the 15 Respondent led by Rt. Hon, Ehie Ogerenye Edison to a place outside the premises of the said House of Assembly and held a sham sitting of the 1st Respondent.’
- Appointment of persons to occupy offices/positions in the Rivers State Government without allowing for the requirement of screening and confirmation as prescribed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), other extant laws but making the request for screening to persons other than the legitimate Rivers State House of Assembly.
•Governor of Rivers State made several appointments which are in contempt of the order of the Federal High Court in a judgment delivered in 2023 that prohibited him from dealing with any other persons or House other than the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule as Speaker; the judgment that was upheld by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
•Governor Fubara failed to forward the name of a nominee for appointment as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in line with Section 192(2) & (6) as well as Section 195(1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended to the legitimate Rivers State House of Assembly.
•That Sir Siminalayi Fubara illegally swore in several other persons who were purportedly confirmed by certain individuals for appointment into the Rivers State Executive Council, amounting to a total number of 19 persons parading themselves and misleading Rivers people that they are commissioners with your tacit approval.
•That Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State illegally swore in members of the Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement without screening and confirmation by the legitimate Rivers State House of Assembly.
•That Sir Siminalayi Fubara engaged persons as members of the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission without screening and confirmation by the legitimate Rivers State House of Assembly.
•That Governor Fubara made the illegal appointments and refused to rescind his actions even after several letters were sent to him and published in the electronic and print media following resolutions of the house.
•That Governor Fubara seized the salaries of some members of the Rivers State House of Assembly which were hitherto paid monthly from the Ministry of Finance of Rivers State. The month of April 2024 was the last time monthly salaries were paid to them.
*That Governor Fubara seized funds standing to the credit of the Rivers State House of Assembly since the month of April 2024 in a bid to frustrate the House and cripple her activities as well as relegate the Judgment of the Federal High Court.
•That Governor Fubara illegally withheld the salary of the Clerk of the Rivers State House of Assembly contrary to the Judgment of the Federal High Court.”
The lawmakers alleged that the governor was not prepared to govern in line with the Constitution and his oath of office.
They said the Supreme Court condemned the governor’s actions when it said: “The 8th respondents fear of impeachment by the House of Assembly is no justification for his attacks on the House of Assembly, the Constitution, the Government of Rivers State and the rule of law.
“Political disagreements cannot justify these attacks and contempt for the rule of law by the Governor of a State or any person. What the 8th respondent has done is to destroy the government because of fear of being impeached.”
The 26 lawmakers, who signed the notice are Dumle Maol, Gokana Constituency; Major Jack, Akuku-Toru 1; Linda Somiari-Stewart, Okirika Constituency; Franklin Uchenna Nwabochi, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni; Christopher Ofiks-Kagbang, Andoni; Azeru Opara, Port Harcourt III; Enemi Alabo-George, Asari-Toru II; Tonye Smart Adoki, Port Harcourt II; Granville Wellington, Asari-Toru I and Solomon Wami, Port Harcourt I.
Others are Benard Mgbar, Tai Constituency; John Iderima, Abua-Odua; Queen Williams, Ahoada East I; Lolo Opuende, Akuku-Toru II; Peter Abbey, Degema; Igwe Aforji, Eleme; Justina Emeji, Emohua; Ignatius Onwuka, Etche; Chimezie Nwankwo, Etche; Lemchi Nyeche, Ikwerre; Barile Nwakoh, Khana 1; Emelia Lucky-Amadi, Obio-Akpor II; Nkemjika Ezekwe, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni II; Davida Okobiriari, Ogu-Bolo; Sylvanus Nwankwo, Omuma and Gerald Oforji, Oyigbo.
Fubara yet to receive notice, says aide
Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joe Johnson, faulted the claims of the House of Assembly that the governor was not willing to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill in line with the Supreme Court judgment.
Johnson said the Assembly’s actions could lead to severe economic, social, and political upheavals in the state.
He said: “It is now common knowledge that members of the Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly have by their actions refused to allow Governor Fubara to fully implement the judgment of the Supreme Court on the long-drawn political and legal battle that has lingered since after the ill-fated attempt to impeach him on October 30, 2023.
“Right from when this unjustified onslaught against Governor Fubara started, the gentleman has never left anyone in doubt about his unwavering commitment to peace and resolute determination to put Rivers people FIRST over and above personal and/or sectional interests.”
Johnson warned that the consequences of the Assembly’s actions would be dire, adding that civil servants, retirees, and the people of the state would be exposed to unimaginable economic hardship.
He said the government would not be able to pay salaries, pensions, and other emoluments, as well as perform other obligations, due to the seizure of revenue allocations by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation.
Johnson said the non-release of warehoused revenues due to the state from the Federation Account would ultimately ground the government.
He accused the Assembly of impeding Fubara’s efforts to implement the Supreme Court judgment.
Johnson said Fubara was prepared to re-present the 2025 budget and implement the Supreme Court judgment, but the Assembly’s actions were portraying him as unwilling to comply.
Police debunk alleged arson, riot in Rivers
The Rivers State Police Command debunked the rumours about riots and arson in Rivers, describing them as false and misleading.
There was a false online report that the residence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Nyesom Wike, was set on fire by unknown arsonists.
But, the Police Spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said in a statement that there was no report of arson in any part of Rivers, adding that the state was very peaceful.
The Police said the report was fabricated by mischief makers to cause unnecessary fear and create tension among residents.
They warned those whose stock in trade is to fabricate falsehood to desist forthwith and engage themselves with reasonable and legitimate activities.
“The Command categorically states that this report is entirely false, baseless, and a deliberate attempt by mischief makers to incite unrest and spread fear among law-abiding residents.
“There is no record of any such incident, and normalcy prevails across the state.
“The general public is urged to disregard these unfounded claims, which are clearly intended to cause panic and destabilise the relative peace and security enjoyed by the good people of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, the Police Command sternly warns those responsible for spreading such incendiary falsehoods to desist from engaging in activities capable of inciting public disorder.
“The full weight of the law will be brought to bear on individuals or groups found guilty of spreading misinformation or attempting to disrupt the peace in any form.
“The Rivers State Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents.
“We urge members of the public to rely on credible sources for information and to report any suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies. Citizens should remain calm and go about their lawful activities without fear.”
