Impeachment: Pro Wike’s Rivers Assembly serves misconduct notice on Fubara, deputy
Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy Professor Ngozi Odu have both been served with a notice of alleged misconduct by the Rivers House of Assembly.
The lawmakers asserted that the action was in accordance with the Constitution of Nigeria.
The allegations of Misconduct against Fubara were made by twenty-six members of the parliament and were included in a notification that was delivered to the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, on Monday.
The notice reads, “In compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other extant laws, we the undersigned members of the Rivers State House of Assembly hereby forward to you a Notice of Gross Misconduct by the Governor of Rivers State in the performance of the functions of his office.”
They accused Fubara of committing a number of violations, including the reckless and unconstitutional use of public funds, the obstruction of the actions of the Assembly, and the appointment of individuals to posts in the government without the necessary vetting and confirmation.
Other claims include the seized of salary of the Clerk, Emeka Amadi, as well as the withholding of salaries, allowances, and cash that were intended for the legal House of Assembly of Rivers State.
The notice to the Deputy Governor reads, “In compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other extant laws, we the undersigned members of the Rivers State House of Assembly hereby forward to you a Notice of Gross Misconduct by the Deputy Governor of Rivers State in the performance of the functions of her office.”
Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu was also accused of conniving and supporting the illegal appointment of persons to government positions without the required screening and confirmation
Amaewhule submitted it to Fubara, indicating that the complaints were raised by “not less than one-third (1/3) of the membership of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
Thereafter, he requested that the governor provide a response to the allegations, citing Section 188(3) of the Constitution, which states that “Within fourteen days of the presentation of the notice to the Speaker of the House of Assembly (whether or not any statement made by the holder of the office in reply to the allegation contained in the notice), the House of Assembly shall resolve by motion, without any debate, whether or not the allegation shall be investigated.” He then asked the governor to provide a response to the allegations.
The Notice of Misconduct comes after the Assembly challenge the governor and his aides to produce an acknowledgement copy of 2025 budget letter or any evidence that the letter was sent or received by the House of Assembly
IREPORT247NEW had earlier reported that the Rivers State House of Assembly has stated that it has not received any 2025 Appropriation Bill from Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
On Thursday, March 13, 2025, Fubara had sent a letter to the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, expressing his desire to deliver the budget on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, or any other day during the month of March. The letter was addressed to the Speaker of the House.
Despite this, the parliamentarians, who are devoted to Chief Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), decided to adjourn their sitting indefinitely during the plenary session that took place the next day, on Friday.
However, while speaking to journalists on Sunday in Port Harcourt, the chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon. Enemi Alabo George, accused Governor Fubara of obstructing the implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment on the political crisis in the state.
Specifically, they accused him of obstructing the directive that mandated him to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the majority of lawmakers.
Instead of attempting to win public sympathy by portraying lawmakers as the hurdles, George asked the people to exert pressure on the governor to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill in accordance with the proper procedures.
He dared Fubara to prove his letter by presenting an acknowledged copy to the House.
Hon. George stated, “Last week, we were told that on his way to Ogoni for a programme, the governor made a stopover at the gate of the House of Assembly Quarters to grant an interview to the press.
“In that interview, he claimed that he had sent a letter to the House of Assembly indicating his intention to visit and present the Appropriation Bill, a claim we found rather astonishing as no such letter was received by the House of Assembly.
“His aides later alleged that they forwarded a letter through Whatsapp to some members of the House, which was also awkward, unprofessional and embarrassing.
“As I speak, the social media space is awash with stories about a purported letter from the governor to the House of Assembly expressing his intention to visit the House to present the Appropriation Bill for the year 2025.
“Nothing can be farther from the truth. We want to state categorically that there is no such letter before the House of Assembly nor any of its staff.
“We challenge the governor and his aides to produce an acknowledgement copy of such a letter or any evidence that such a letter was sent or received by the House of Assembly.
Read more https://ireport247news.com/2025/03/17/2025-budget-rivers-assembly-denies-fubara-letter/