Rivers Assembly Alleges Plot to Block Legislative Duties

The Rivers State House of Assembly has alleged that there are secret attempts to obtain court orders in an attempt to illegally restrain the legislature from carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.

The allegation was contained in a statement on Sunday and signed by Enemi George, chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints.

According to the statement, the assembly received intelligence indicating that “certain persons” are planning to secure court orders from some High Courts within Rivers State but outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division, with the aim of interfering with legislative proceedings.

The lawmakers said those behind the alleged moves were fully aware of constitutional provisions governing legislative processes and the jurisdiction of courts in such matters.

The assembly cited Section 272(3) of the Constitution, which it said vests jurisdiction in the Federal High Court to determine whether the tenure of a member of a state House of Assembly, a governor, or a deputy governor has ceased or become vacant, subject to other constitutional provisions.

It also referenced Section 188(10) of the Constitution, which provides that proceedings or determinations of a House of Assembly or any panel set up under impeachment processes “shall not be entertained or questioned in any court.”

“These persons are also fully aware of judicial pronouncements on this matter, especially recently at the Court of Appeal on a matter involving a similar ex parte order by a Rivers State High Court contrary to Section 272(3) of the Constitution,” the statement said.

“Therefore, with the leave of the speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, I call on those concerned to exercise restraint and refrain from acts inimical to the Constitution and the rule of law.”

According to the statement, office holders who had already been served with notices of allegations of gross misconduct should respond to the allegations rather than seek judicial intervention.

“All that is required is for the office holders who have already been duly served with the Notice of Allegations of Gross Misconduct to respond to them item by item rather than deploy subterranean moves to subvert the law or use proxies to malign members and the Rivers State House of Assembly in the media,” it added.

The most recent development follows new impeachment proceedings against Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, who were accused of gross misconduct by the state house.