The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a notice accusing the state governor, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, of alleged misconduct.
Twenty-six members of the assembly made the misconduct allegation against Fubara in a notice sent to the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, on Monday.
According to the lawmakers, their action follows “Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and
other existing laws.”
Section 188 of the Constitution deals with "Removal of Governor." Section 188 of the Constitution provides that:
(1) "The Governor or Deputy Governor of a state may be removed from office in accordance with the provisions or Deputy Governor of this section. from office.
(2) (a) "Whenever a notice of any allegation in writing signed by not less than one-third of the members of the House of Assembly.
(b) "stating that the holder of such office is guilty of gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office, detailed particulars of which shall be specified.
"The speaker of the House of Assembly shall, within seven days of the receipt of the notice, cause a copy of the notice to be served on the holder of the office and on each member of the House of Assembly, and shall also cause any statement made in reply to the allegation by the holder of the office, to be served on each member of the House of Assembly.
(3) "Within fourteen days of the presentation of the notice to the speaker of the House of Assembly (whether or not any statement was 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.
"They accused Fubara of several offences including reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds, obstructing the Assembly’s activities, and appointing individuals to government positions without the required screening and confirmation."
Other allegations include withholding salaries, allowances and funds meant for the legitimate Rivers State House of Assembly, as well as seizing the salary of the Clerk, Emeka Amadi.
The lawmakers also accused Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu of “conniving and supporting the illegal appointment of persons to government positions without the required screening and confirmation.”
Upon receiving the notice, Amaewhule forwarded it to Fubara, stating that the allegations were raised by “not less than one-third (1/3) of the membership of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
He then asked the governor to respond to the allegations, referencing Section 188(3) of the Constitution, which states, “Within 14 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.”
THE PUNCH reports that Amaewhule also advised the governor to act accordingly and extended his “esteemed regards.”
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