By Wellington Jopelo
The Rivers State House of Assembly has commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Oduh.
The process began during plenary on Thursday, presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, according to a live broadcast on Channels Television.
During the session, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read a notice of allegations and gross misconduct against Governor Fubara on the floor of the Assembly.
The notice was signed by 26 members of the House, who alleged that the actions of the governor contravened provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
Relying on Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution, Jack outlined seven alleged acts of gross misconduct against the governor, including the demolition of the Assembly Complex, extra-budgetary spending, withholding funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and refusal to comply with a Supreme Court ruling on the financial autonomy of the legislature.
The Speaker directed that the notice be served on Governor Fubara within the next seven days, in line with constitutional provisions governing impeachment proceedings.
Similarly, the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Stewart, presented a separate notice of allegations and gross misconduct against Deputy Governor Ngozi Oduh during the plenary.
The allegations against Oduh include reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds, obstruction of the House from carrying out its constitutional duties, approval of unauthorised office holders without screening by the legitimate Assembly, diversion of budgetary processes, and seizure of salaries and allowances due to lawmakers and the Assembly Service Commission.