Speaker Martin Amaewhule
By Eric Moore
RIVERS State House of Assembly has issued a warrant of arrest on the chairman, Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission. (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd), following the latter’s refusal to appear before it.
Speaker of the House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, gave the order in Port Harcourt on Monday.
It would be recalled that the State House of Assembly had summoned the chairman and members of RSIEC to appear before it within 48 hours or face arrest.
The House said the chairman of the commission and his members flagrantly refused to appear before the assembly on Monday, March 10.
Last Wednesday, the lawmakers had given the retired High Court judge, 24 hours to appear before them for questioning.
But, swiftly, his legal team wrote replied the House of Assembly that it was unconstitutional to summon the RSIEC with 24 hours instead of 72 hours.
Retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli, Chairman, RSIEC
However, last Friday the House of Assembly considered the legal luminary’s integrity as judge and opened another window for him to appear with his commissioners on interrogation on Monday.
This unhealthy political development in the state, particularly as it affects RSIEC, has led to the resignation of three commissioners of RSIEC.
This significant development indicates escalating tensions within the state’s political landscape.