The Rivers State House of Assembly has alleged that certain individuals are plotting to obtain ex-parte court orders from High Courts outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division to unlawfully halt the Assembly from carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.
The allegation was contained in a press release issued on Monday and signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Dr. Enemi Alabo George, DSSRS. According to the statement, the Assembly received what it described as credible intelligence indicating that the plots were aimed at frustrating its ongoing legislative processes.
“The Rivers State House of Assembly has received information of plots by certain persons to utilize some Rivers State High Courts, especially outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division, to issue ex-parte orders to illegally stop the Rivers State House of Assembly from performing her constitutional duties,” the statement said.
The Assembly noted that those allegedly behind the 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 whether the tenure of a member of a House of Assembly, a governor, or deputy governor has ceased or become vacant.
It also cited Section 188(10) of the Constitution, which provides that proceedings or determinations of a House of Assembly or its investigative panel on impeachment matters “shall not be entertained or questioned in any court.”
The lawmakers further referenced recent judicial pronouncements, including a Court of Appeal decision, which faulted similar ex-parte orders previously issued by a Rivers State High Court in contravention of Section 272(3) of the Constitution.
“A word is enough for the wise,” the statement warned.
With the approval of the Speaker, the Assembly called on those concerned to exercise restraint and desist from actions it described as inimical to the Constitution and the rule of law. It urged affected office holders who have been served with notices of allegations of gross misconduct to respond to the allegations “item by item” rather than resort to what it termed “subterranean moves” or media attacks against the Assembly.
The House reaffirmed its commitment to constitutionalism and the rule of law, while calling for calm amid heightened political tensions in the state.
Meanwhile, political observers have suggested that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has intervened in the impeachment process initiated by the Rivers State House of Assembly against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, amid concerns over the broader political implications for the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
