The Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) has called for the arrest and investigation of the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli, over financial activities of the commission.
The RSHA urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to probe Enebeli and four other RSIEC members.
According to Martins Wachukwu, the Special Assistant on Media to the Speaker of RSHA, this resolution was reached during the Assembly’s 134th Legislative Sitting on Wednesday.
The move follows a “Warrant of Arrest” previously issued for Justice Enebeli and four other RSIEC members over their refusal to comply with a legislative investigation.
The motion to summon the anti-corruption agencies was sponsored by 26 lawmakers and moved by Hon. Linda Somiari-Stewart, representing Okrika Constituency.
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The motion called for the condemnation of the RSIEC Chairman’s refusal to subject himself to legislative scrutiny, a demand for the commission’s bankers to provide financial records from January 1, 2024, to date, and the involvement of the EFCC and ICPC in the probe.
Commenting on the motion, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, cited Section 128 of the 1999 Constitution, emphasizing the Assembly’s constitutional power to investigate any person or agency within its legislative purview. The motion was unanimously adopted.
Three Bills Progress in the Assembly
In a separate development, the Rivers Assembly advanced three critical bills through Second Reading. The bills underwent extensive debate, with lawmakers highlighting their significance to governance and legislative efficiency.
The first, Rivers State House of Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Bill, aims to grant the Assembly additional authority, privileges, and immunity in carrying out its legislative functions. This bill has been referred to the House Committee on Rules and Business for further deliberation.
Additionally, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) Bill seeks to repeal and replace the RSIEC Law No. 2 of 2018. Its goal is to refine the legal framework guiding the commission’s establishment, composition, and operations. The bill was committed to the House Committee on Commissions and Agencies.
The third bill, Rivers State Local Government Bill, 2025, proposes the repeal of existing local government laws from 2018, 2023, and 2024.
It seeks to enact a new, comprehensive law governing local government administration in Rivers State. The House referred this bill to the Committee on Local Government.
