Rivers Assembly serves notice of misconduct on Fubara, deputy
Rivers State House of Assembly has served a notice of misconduct against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.
The state lawmakers, in the notice on March 16, claimed that their action was in line with the Nigerian Constitution.
The notice read in part: “In compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other extant laws, we the undersigned members of the Rivers State House of Assembly hereby forward to you a Notice of Gross Misconduct by the Deputy Governor of Rivers State in the performance of the functions of her office.”
Twenty-six members of the Rivers Assembly raised the allegations in two letters sent to the speaker Martin Amaewhule and thereafter transmitted to Fubara and his deputy.
They said the action was “in compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other extant laws” which mandates that such allegations be signed by at least one-third of the House members and specify the particulars of the misconduct.
The letters, signed by the 26 lawmakers, were presented during Monday’s plenary session in compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), 1999. The Speaker is required to ensure that the notices are served on the office holders and all members of the House within seven days of receipt.
The allegations, which outlined five specific instances of gross misconduct, were detailed in separate notices addressed to both the governor and the deputy governor.
The lawmakers accused Fubara among other things of reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds, hindering or obstructing the Rivers State House of Assembly which is another arm of the government, and the appointment of persons to occupy offices/positions in the Rivers State Government without allowing for the requirement of screening and confirmation.
Other accusations against the Rivers governor include the seizure of salaries, allowances, and funds standing to the credit of the legitimate Rivers State House of Assembly and the seizure of the salary of the Clerk of the Rivers State House of Assembly Emeka Amadi.
They also accused Odu of “conniving and supporting the illegal appointment of persons to occupy offices/positions in the Rivers State Government without allowing for the requirement of screening and confirmation”.
Meanwhile, Amaewhule on Monday officially transmitted the notices to Governor Fubara and his deputy and said the allegations were raised by “not less than one-third (1/3) of the membership of the Rivers State House of Assembly”.
Speaker Amaewhule in the letter transmitting the claims, asked them to “reply to the allegations made against you in the said ‘Notice of Allegations of Gross Misconduct’ accordingly”.
“In doing this, your attention is drawn to the provisions of Section 188(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which provides thus: ‘Within 14 days of the presentation of the notice to the Speaker of the House of Assembly (whether or not any statement made by 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’,” the speaker said in a letter sent to Fubara.
Monday’s development is a significant twist in the political tensions within Rivers State. But it is unclear how Governor Fubara and his deputy will respond to these allegations or navigate the mounting pressure from the legislative arm of the state government.
Read The Full Text Of The Allegations Against Fubara, Dep. Gov
In a related development, the Assembly passed a resolution inviting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the Secretary to the State Government Tammy Danagogo over allegations of financial recklessness during his tenure. This move further intensifies the political crisis engulfing the oil-rich state.
