Anita Ogona
The Rivers State House of Assembly, on Thursday, at its 135th Legislative Sitting, resolved to write to the Department of State Service (DSS) to investigate the allegation of age falsification leveled against the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Hon Simeon Amadi, following a statement by the Leader, Hon. Major Jack.
Riding on Order 23 of the Standing Orders of the House, Hon. Jack laid a document on the table which alleged that Hon. Justice Amadi falsified his age in the civil service. Speaking to the document, Members argued that falsification is a serious offense, but the allegation must first be proven, and urged relevant security agencies to help the Housey investigate the allegation.
Commenting, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, stated that the House, though empowered to conduct investigation by the provisions of Section 128 of the Constitution, the Governor of the State has barred all heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies not to appear before the House or assist the House in the conduct of investigation. So, the House is calling on the Department of State Service to institute an investigation on the alleged age falsification by the Chief Judge with a view to ascertaining the veracity or otherwise of the allegation, which will be forwarded to the National Judicial Council(NJC).
The Speaker, thereafter, put the question, and the House voted in the affirmative, calling on the DSS to investigate the Hon. Chief Judge.
In another development, the Speaker asked all Committees to endeavour to submit their reports to the House before the House proceeds on recess, particularly, the House Committee on Public Complaints and Petitions.
Signed
Martins Wachukwu
Special Assistant On Media To The Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly
