The Rivers State House of Assembly has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by unnamed individuals to obtain ex-parte court orders from High Courts outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division to frustrate the Assembly’s constitutional duties.
The allegation comes amid the impeachment process recently initiated by the Assembly against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, a development that has heightened political tension in the state.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions, and Complaints, Dr. Enemi Alabo George, said the Assembly had received what he described as “credible intelligence” pointing to moves aimed at judicially halting legislative proceedings.
According to the statement, the alleged plan involves approaching Rivers State High Courts, particularly those outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division, to secure ex-parte orders intended to stop the Assembly from carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.
Dr. George stressed that those behind the purported moves were fully aware of relevant constitutional provisions, including Section 272(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which vests jurisdiction on the Federal High Court to determine questions relating to whether the tenure of a governor, deputy governor, or member of a state House of Assembly has ceased or become vacant.
He also cited Section 188(10) of the Constitution, which expressly provides that proceedings or determinations of an impeachment panel or a House of Assembly, as well as matters relating to such proceedings, shall not be entertained or questioned by any court.
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The Assembly further referenced existing judicial pronouncements, including a recent Court of Appeal decision, which reportedly frowned at similar ex-parte orders issued by a Rivers State High Court in circumstances said to be contrary to constitutional provisions.
“A word is enough for the wise,” the statement warned, urging all parties involved to exercise restraint and desist from actions considered inimical to the Constitution and the rule of law.
With the permission of the Speaker, Dr. George called on those allegedly involved to abandon what he described as “subterranean moves” and instead allow due process to take its course.
He emphasized that the appropriate step for affected office holders, who have already been served with notices of allegations of gross misconduct, is to respond to the allegations point by point rather than attempt to subvert the process or malign the Assembly through proxies and media campaigns.
The statement concluded with an assurance that the Rivers State House of Assembly remains committed to upholding the Constitution and the rule of law, while offering prayers for peace and stability in Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
