The Rivers State House of Assembly has announced its intention to request the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Justice Adolphus Enebeli.
During the 134th legislative sitting, lawmakers decided to focus the investigation on the financial activities of the commission over the past year in a bid to ensure transparency and accountability in public institutions. This decision was spurred by a motion sponsored by 26 lawmakers and presented by Linda Somiari-Stewart, who represents Okrika Constituency.
Stewart’s motion called for condemning the RSIEC chairman’s refusal to cooperate with an investigation, inviting the EFCC and ICPC to probe the chairman and other commission members, and summoning RSIEC’s bankers to provide bank statements from January 1, 2024, onwards.
The Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, emphasized the House’s constitutional authority under Section 128 of the 1999 Constitution to investigate individuals, ministries, departments, or agencies within its jurisdiction. All lawmakers supported the motion, particularly emphasizing the need for EFCC and ICPC involvement.
In addition to the investigation, the House also advanced three bills for further consideration. These bills included the Rivers State House of Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Bill, the RSIEC Bill aimed at updating the electoral commission’s governing law, and the Rivers State Local Government Bill 2025, which proposed a new law to replace existing local government legislation.
Speaker Amaewhule commended the lawmakers for their contributions, noting that these legislative efforts would enhance governance and accountability within the state.