The Rivers State House of Assembly has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by unnamed individuals to frustrate its legislative duties through the procurement of ex parte court orders from High Courts outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division.
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 credible intelligence suggesting that the moves were aimed at halting the legislature’s constitutional functions amid the ongoing political crisis in the state.
The development comes against the backdrop of the Assembly’s recent decision to investigate the financial and administrative activities of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Lawmakers had accused the governor of failing to submit the Mid-Term Expenditure Framework as required by law and of authorising expenditures without legislative approval, actions they described as grave constitutional breaches.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, insisted that the Assembly was acting strictly within the confines of the law and would pursue the impeachment process in line with due process.
He said the House would allow the Constitution to take its full course.
Following the plenary session, notices of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, circulated on social media.
The Assembly later confirmed that formal notices had been issued to both officials in accordance with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), noting that their responses were being awaited.
In its latest statement, the Assembly alleged that those behind the purported plot were attempting to exploit courts outside Port Harcourt to secure injunctions stopping legislative proceedings.
It cited constitutional provisions, including Section 188(10), which bars courts from entertaining matters relating to impeachment proceedings, and Section 272(5), which defines jurisdiction in such cases.
The House warned that similar attempts had been struck down in the past, referencing recent Court of Appeal judgments nullifying ex parte orders issued in violation of constitutional provisions.
It urged all parties involved to exercise restraint and avoid actions capable of undermining the rule of law and democratic governance.
While the governor and his cabinet have remained silent, several groups, including the Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum and civil society organisations, have expressed concern over the impeachment move.
The elders described impeachment as a serious constitutional process that should not be driven by political vendetta, warning that the crisis could further polarise the state and weaken public confidence in democratic institutions.
The Assembly, however, reaffirmed its commitment to constitutionalism and urged residents to remain calm as events continue to unfold.
