The Rivers State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Martins Amaewhule, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to probe Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), over alleged financial mismanagement.
The call was made during a plenary session held at the Assembly quarters in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Amaewhule emphasized that the legislature, which enacted the law establishing RSIEC, has the constitutional duty to exercise oversight on its activities.
According to the Speaker, Enebeli and other RSIEC commissioners had previously assured the Assembly during their screening and confirmation that they would be accountable to the legislature when called upon.
However, their refusal to honor a recent summons from the House has raised concerns.
“It is the global standard that public officials must be accountable. During their screening, they confirmed their willingness to appear before the Assembly when necessary. Yet today, they are refusing to do so,” Amaewhule stated.
The Speaker cited Section 128 of the State Constitution, which grants the Assembly the authority to investigate public bodies and officials.
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He stressed that the EFCC and ICPC must step in to determine how RSIEC funds were utilized, as there were no budgetary approvals or appropriations for certain expenditures.
Amaewhule further alleged that billions of naira in public funds had been spent by the RSIEC Chairman without Assembly approval, raising suspicions of misappropriation.
He urged anti-corruption agencies to scrutinize financial transactions under Enebeli’s leadership to ensure transparency and accountability.
The call for an investigation comes amid heightened political tensions in Rivers State, as the Assembly continues to assert its oversight functions in governance.
Neither Enebeli nor RSIEC has responded to the allegations at the time of this report.