The Rivers State House of Assembly has commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
During a plenary session on Thursday, presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, read a notice of allegations and claims of gross misconduct against the governor. The proceedings were broadcast live on Channels Television.
The notice, which was signed by 26 members of the Assembly, accused the governor of actions allegedly contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution. Amaewhule stated that the notice would be served on Governor Fubara within seven days.
Invoking Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution, Jack outlined seven allegations of gross misconduct against the governor. These include the demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending, withholding funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and refusal to comply with a Supreme Court ruling on the financial autonomy of the House.
Following the presentation of the notice against the governor, the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Stewart, read a separate notice of allegations and gross misconduct against the deputy governor, Ngozi Odu.
The allegations against Odu include reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds, obstruction of the House of Assembly from carrying out its constitutional duties, and allegedly conspiring to allow unauthorised individuals to occupy offices without proper screening by the Assembly.
Other accusations against the deputy governor include seeking budgetary approval from an unauthorised group instead of the Rivers State House of Assembly, as well as the seizure of salaries and allowances due to the Assembly and the Assembly Service Commission.
