The Rivers State House of Assembly has taken a significant step by issuing an arrest warrant for Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), following his failure to comply with an earlier summons.
The arrest order was made during Monday’s plenary session, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, after the 72-hour deadline for Enebeli’s appearance expired.
Enebeli had scheduled a fresh Local Government (LG) election for August 9, 2025, after a Supreme Court ruling invalidated the October 5, 2024, local government elections in the state.
However, the Rivers Assembly, under Amaewhule’s leadership, had expressed intentions to investigate the conduct of Enebeli in relation to the annulled poll, raising concerns about his role in the controversial election.
Over the weekend, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, convened a dialogue with members of the House to discuss the implementation of the Supreme Court’s ruling.
The court had also issued a severe directive, barring the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other financial bodies from releasing funds to the Rivers State government until it resolves what the court described as “flagrant disobedience” to its orders.
In the judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, the Supreme Court’s five-man panel dismissed an appeal filed by Governor Fubara, which sought to challenge the legitimacy of the Amaewhule-led House of Assembly.
The court ruling further mandated that Amaewhule resume his duties immediately, alongside other elected members, reaffirming the validity of the current legislative leadership in Rivers State.
