Ogona Anita
Rivers State Commissioners Drag Amaewhule-Led House Of Assembly To Court Over Plot To Nullify Appointments Amid Political Crisis
The commissioners, whose appointments were approved by four lawmakers loyal to Governor Fubara, have filed a suit seeking to restrain the Assembly from declaring their appointments illegal.
The Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly’s plot to nullify Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s appointment of 19 commissioners has become the subject of litigation at the Rivers State High Court.
The legal battle follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that affirmed Martin Amaewhule as the legitimate Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, dismissing a cross-appeal filed by Governor Fubara.
The ruling has further intensified the political tension in the state.
In their suit, the commissioners are seeking an interlocutory injunction to prevent Amaewhule and 26 others from enforcing resolutions passed on March 5, 2025, which declared their appointments null and void.
They are also asking the court to issue an order barring the Assembly from interfering in their duties as members of the state executive council.
Adding to the legal disputes, the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retired), and his commissioners have also filed a suit challenging the assembly’s authority to summon them for questioning.
The Assembly had initially given Enebeli a 48-hour ultimatum to appear before it and explain the circumstances surrounding the nullified October 2024 Local Government Elections.
After he failed to appear, the deadline was extended by 72 hours.
In their suit, Enebeli and his team are asking the court to restrain the Assembly from compelling them to appear, warning that such a move would be unlawful.
Justice Frank Onyiri, presiding over the matter, granted leave for the claimants to serve the Assembly through substituted means and adjourned the hearing to April 17, 2025.
During its plenary session on Wednesday, the Rivers State House of Assembly reaffirmed its decision to summon Enebeli and his commissioners.
The lawmakers insisted that RISIEC officials must explain the sources of funding for the nullified local government election and the planned expenditure for the fresh election scheduled for August 9, 2025.
House Leader Major Jack informed the Assembly that official letters had been sent to RISIEC officials and Governor Fubara, urging him to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill. However, neither the governor nor the RISIEC chairman has responded to the invitations.
Speaker Martin Amaewhule had warned that the Assembly was taking legislative notice of Governor Fubara’s refusal to present the 2025 budget and would take necessary action at the appropriate time.
The Assembly also passed a resolution instructing the Clerk of the House to invite RISIEC officials again to appear before lawmakers on March 10, 2025.
The lawmakers threatened to invoke Section 129 (1) (d) of the Constitution if the officials fail to comply.
Amid the political crisis, the Rivers State Police Command has vowed to clamp down on threats to national security.
This comes after militant groups issued warnings of possible attacks on oil installations in response to the ongoing political turmoil.
The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, issued a stern warning to those planning violence.
Adepoju reassured residents that the police were fully prepared to handle any disturbances, adding, “We are ready for anything that comes. All eyes are on Rivers State now, and we will not allow anyone to heat the polity.”
