The Rivers State House of Assembly has raised concerns about alleged efforts by unnamed individuals to use courts outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division to interfere with its ongoing impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
The assembly said in a statement on January 11, that it had received what it described as credible information suggesting attempts to obtain ex parte court orders to unlawfully restrain lawmakers from fulfilling their constitutional duties.
According to release signed by the chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Enemi George, the assembly warned that such actions could amount to a subversion of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
It cited provisions of the constitution that limit court involvement in impeachment matters and referenced recent appellate rulings that struck down similar orders.
The lawmakers reiterated that notices of allegations of gross misconduct have already been served on the governor and deputy governor, and urged respect for the rule of law.
They said the assembly remains committed to carrying out its constitutional responsibilities and would not be distracted by what it described as “subterranean moves” to frustrate the process.
The ongoing impeachment effort has been part of a broader political struggle in the state, with different groups and stakeholders expressing competing views on its legitimacy and implications.
