Rivers Assembly invites EFCC, ICPC to probe state’s Electoral Commission Chairman over alleged misappropriation

The Rivers State Home of Meeting, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, has known as on the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) and the Unbiased Corrupt Practices and Different Associated Offences Fee (ICPC) to research Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), Chairman of the Rivers State Unbiased Electoral Fee (RSIEC), over alleged monetary misappropriation.

The Information Company of Nigeria (NAN) experiences that Amaewhule made the decision throughout plenary on the Meeting quarters complicated in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, emphasizing the Meeting’s constitutional oversight function over RSIEC.

The Speaker accused the RSIEC chairman of mishandling public funds with out applicable approvals or budgetary allocations. He acknowledged that billions of naira had been expended with out the required legislative backing, prompting the necessity for exterior anti-corruption companies to step in.

He stated it’s the obligation of the Rivers State Home of Meeting, which enacted the state Unbiased Electoral Fee legislation and arrange the fee, to train oversight over its actions.

Amaewhule stated. “It’s not solely constitutional however a regular legislative observe worldwide.”

The Speaker revealed that in their screening and affirmation, Justice Enebeli and the RSIEC commissioners had pledged to adjust to the Structure and state legal guidelines, together with submitting to legislative scrutiny when required. Nevertheless, they’ve allegedly refused to honor the Meeting’s summons for an inquiry into the Fee’s funds.

Legislative Oversight and Authorized Mandate

Amaewhule cited Part 128 of the Nigerian Structure, which grants the Home the ability to summon RSIEC officers for questioning on monetary expenditures and administrative conduct. He expressed concern that regardless of a number of invites, the fee’s management had failed to look earlier than the Home, elevating additional suspicions.

“We’re calling on them, however they’re refusing to honor the summons of this August Meeting,” he acknowledged.

“This necessitates the involvement of anti-corruption companies to make sure transparency and accountability in the usage of public funds.”

The Home, subsequently, resolved to formally invite the EFCC and ICPC to research RSIEC’s monetary transactions, notably analyzing how funds had been spent below the management of Justice Enebeli. Lawmakers additionally mandated that RSIEC’s bankers present the fee’s financial institution statements from January 1, 2024, so far.

Meeting’s Unanimous Decision

Following in depth deliberations, all 26 members of the Meeting voted in favor of the movement, underscoring the gravity of the allegations towards RSIEC.

Regardless of the Home’s agency stance, Amaewhule clarified that they’d not outrightly condemned the RSIEC chairman and different officers who failed to look earlier than the Meeting. Nevertheless, he emphasised that their continued absence additional validated the necessity for an intensive investigation.

“The facility to research state establishments, together with RSIEC, rests with this Meeting as enshrined in Part 128 of the Structure,” Amaewhule asserted.

The Meeting’s name for an exterior investigation marks a big escalation in its oversight capabilities and will have authorized and political ramifications for RSIEC and its management. If discovered culpable, the chairman and different RSIEC officers might face prosecution for monetary misappropriation, derailing the credibility of the state’s electoral administration physique.

Extra insights

Lawmakers allegedly barred Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, from accessing the Home of Meeting on Wednesday to current the 2025 funds.

Observers say this improvement alerts a deepening rift within the ongoing energy battle between the state’s govt and legislative branches.