By Desmond Ejibas
The Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) has issued a gross misconduct notice against Gov. Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy Ngozi Odu.
The notice follows widespread speculation regarding moves to initiate impeachment proceedings against the governor.
Yesterday, the lawmakers officially served the notice, dated March 14, stating that their actions were in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
It read, “In compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria of 1999 (as amended) and the other extant laws, we, the undersigned members of RSHA, hereby forward you a Notice of Gross Misconduct.
“The notice is issued to the Governor of Rivers State in the performance of the functions of his office.”
The notice, signed by the 26 lawmakers, accused Fubara of reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds, citing violations of Sections 120, 121(1) (2), and 122 of the Nigerian Constitution.
The legislators said that the governor’s action indicated his unwillingness to govern the state by the Constitution and his oath of office.
They further referenced a Supreme Court ruling in Suit No. SC/CV/1174/2024, which, according to them, condemned Fubara’s actions.
“The Supreme Court stated that ‘the eight respondent’s fear of impeachment by the RSHA is no justification for his attacks on the RSHA, the Constitution, the Government of Rivers State, and the rule of law,” the notice read in part.
*Lawmakers not cooperating in implementation of court judgement, says govt
Meanwhile, the River State Government has accused the state House of Assembly of frustrating Governor Fubara’s efforts to implement the Supreme Court’s ruling on the state’s political crisis.
The Commissioner for Information, Joe Johnson, stated this yesterday in reaction to comments by the Chairman of the House of Assembly Committee on Information, Enemi Alabo-George, accusing Fubara of stalling the process.
Johnson stated that the Assembly has consistently refused to acknowledge correspondences from the governor despite multiple attempts to engage with them.
He cited video evidence showing the government’s efforts to deliver official documents, which he said were deliberately ignored by the lawmakers.
Johnson further revealed that national newspapers had made some of these correspondences public.
He explained that the government could not provide acknowledgment copies of the letters as challenged by Alabo-George because the Assembly never received the documents in the first place.
Regarding the latest accusations of gross misconduct against the governor and his deputy, the commissioner said the executive arm had yet to receive any correspondence from the State Assembly.
He restated that Fubara has always been committed to peace and has demonstrated this by complying with a court ruling directing the transition of power from elected local government chairmen to Heads of Local Government Administrations.
He said the governor also indicated an interest in implementing the rest of the directives by the apex bank as soon as he receives the Certified True Copy of the judgment.
He said the Assembly responded with hostility by issuing ultimatums to the governor and the state electoral commission.
He described this move as a deliberate ploy to cause chaos and claimed that legal experts had also questioned its legitimacy.
Johnson also criticised the Assembly’s recent call to probe the Chief Judge, stating that their latest actions showed that their priorities were not in the state’s interest.
He said that the lawmakers’ actions had been self-serving rather than focused on governance and the well-being of Rivers residents.
