The Rivers State House of Assembly on Thursday initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, in accordance with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The proceedings commenced during plenary presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, when the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally presented a notice of allegations of gross misconduct against the governor.
Relying on constitutional provisions governing impeachment, Jack read out seven allegations levelled against Fubara. The allegations include the demolition of the House of Assembly complex, alleged extra-budgetary expenditure, withholding of funds statutorily allocated to the Assembly Service Commission, and alleged non-compliance with a Supreme Court judgment relating to the financial autonomy of the legislature.
The notice was endorsed by 26 members of the House.
Following its presentation, Speaker Amaewhule directed that the notice be served on the governor within seven days, as prescribed by the Constitution.
In a separate development during the same sitting, the Deputy Leader of the House, Linda Stewart, presented a notice of allegations of gross misconduct against the Deputy Governor, Ngozi Odu.
The allegations against Odu include alleged unconstitutional and reckless expenditure of public funds, obstruction of the House of Assembly in the performance of its constitutional functions, and alleged connivance in permitting unauthorised persons to occupy public offices without screening or approval by the House.
Further allegations include seeking budgetary approvals outside the Rivers State House of Assembly and the alleged withholding of salaries and allowances due to members of the House and the Assembly Service Commission.
The impeachment process is expected to proceed in line with the timelines and procedures stipulated under Section 188 of the Constitution.
