The Rivers State House of Assembly has confirmed that the Chief Judge of the state has received and acknowledged official correspondence conveying notices of alleged gross misconduct against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu.
The confirmation came just hours after a Rivers State High Court sitting in Oyigbo reportedly issued an order restraining the Assembly from taking further steps in the impeachment process against the governor and his deputy.
The disclosure was made on Friday, January 16, 2025, by the spokesperson of the Assembly and Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Dr. Enemi Alabo George, following plenary proceedings marking the 60th legislative day of the Third Session of the Tenth Rivers State House of Assembly.
According to George, lawmakers at the plenary deliberated extensively on the constitutional provisions guiding the investigation of alleged gross misconduct against a sitting governor and deputy governor, as outlined in Section 188(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
Following the deliberations, the House resolved to proceed with an investigation into the allegations leveled against Governor Fubara and his deputy. Consequently, the Speaker of the House was mandated to transmit formal letters to the Chief Judge of Rivers State in line with Section 188(5) of the Constitution, requesting the constitution of a seven-member investigative panel to probe the allegations.
The Assembly maintained that its actions were in strict compliance with constitutional provisions and legislative procedures, stressing its commitment to due process and the rule of law.
The development has further heightened political tension in the state, as the impeachment move continues to generate widespread reactions from political stakeholders and the public.
