The Rivers State House of Assembly has confirmed that impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, are underway, with formal notices of allegations already delivered to both officials.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Enemi George, said the process is “fully on course in line with the relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
According to the statement, the Speaker of the House has forwarded two separate notices of allegations of gross misconduct, brought pursuant to Section 188 of the Constitution, to the Governor and Deputy Governor, and the Assembly is awaiting their responses.
The lawmakers reiterated their commitment to upholding the Constitution, stressing their responsibility to protect the will of the people and prevent constitutional violations by the Governor, Deputy Governor, or any other official of the Rivers State Government.
The Assembly also cautioned against the spread of misinformation, urging Nigerians to disregard what it described as “cheap blackmail,” while reaffirming its constitutional mandate.
The impeachment process was initiated during a plenary session on Thursday, presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule. During the session, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, read the notice of allegations against Governor Fubara, outlining seven counts of gross misconduct.
The allegations include the demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending, withholding funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and alleged disobedience of a Supreme Court ruling on legislative financial autonomy. The notice was endorsed by 26 lawmakers.
Speaker Amaewhule confirmed that the Assembly would formally notify the Governor within the timeframe stipulated by the Constitution.
