The Rivers State House of Assembly has concluded plans to call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, to invite the Chairman of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission RSIEC, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd) for questioning.
The Assembly, which took this decision in its 134th Legislative Sitting, said the invitation would target the financial activities of the commission within the last one year.
The assembly said the move is to instill probity and accountability in public institutions in the State, and as a follow up to the Warrant of Arrest issued on the Chairman of the RSIEC, and four other senior staff members of the Commission.
This followed a Motion sponsored by 26 lawmakers and moved by the Member representing Okrika Constituency, Hon. Linda Somiari-Stewart.
Stewart had urged the House to do the following: condemn the refusal of the Chairman of the Commission to subject himself to investigation by the House; invite the EFCC and the ICPC to investigate the Commission’s Chairman and members.
She also further urged the House to invite the RSIEC bankers to produce the bank statements of the Commission from 1st January, 2024 till date.
However, commenting on the Motions, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, stated that by virtue of the provisions of Section 128 of the 1999 Constitution, the House is empowered to conduct investigation on any person, Ministry, Department and Agency within its Legislative powers.
When the Speaker opened a question on the issues, the House unanimously adopted all the prayers of the Motion, stating that the call on the EFCC and the ICPC to investigate the Chairman and other Commissioners of the Commission tops the priority.
Meanwhile, during the plenary, the House gave Second Reading to three Bills, and argued on the general principles of the Bills, harping on the merits inherent therein.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Amaewhule commended Members for their contributions and committed the Rivers State House of Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Bill, which is a Bill for a Law to grant the Rivers State House of Assembly the power, privileges and immunity to carry out its legislative duties, to the House Committee on Rules and Business.
In the same vein, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) Bill, which is a Bill for a Law to repeal the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Law No. 2 of 2018, and to re- enact it to provide for the establishment, composition and functions of the Commission was committed to the House Committee on Commissions and Agencies.
While the Rivers State Local Government Bill, 2025, a Bill for a Law to repeal the existing Rivers State Local Government Laws of 2018, 2023 and 2024, and to re- enact a new Local Government Law was referred to the House Committee on Local Government.
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