Rivers Assembly Invites EFCC, ICPC to Probe Electoral Commission Boss Over Alleged Misappropriation

The Rivers State House of Assembly has formally invited Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies—the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)—to investigate the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), over alleged financial misappropriation.

Speaker of the Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, made the call during a plenary session held Wednesday at the Assembly quarters complex in Port Harcourt. He accused the RSIEC boss of spending public funds without legislative approval, budgetary allocation, or appropriation, describing the expenditure as “billions of public funds gone down the drain in futile actions.”

Amaewhule emphasized that the Assembly, having enacted the law establishing RSIEC, has both the constitutional and conventional authority to exercise oversight over the commission. He noted that Justice Enebeli and his commissioners had previously appeared before the House for screening and pledged to remain accountable to the legislature, including honoring summons when necessary. However, Amaewhule lamented that they are now refusing to appear before the Assembly despite being summoned.

Citing Section 128 of the Nigerian Constitution, which empowers state legislatures to conduct investigations into the conduct of public institutions and officials, the Speaker said the House had no choice but to involve the EFCC and ICPC to aid in uncovering how RSIEC funds were spent. He described Justice Enebeli, as the commission’s chief accounting officer, as being central to the probe.

Amaewhule disclosed that the Assembly also resolved to summon the bankers of RSIEC to provide the commission’s bank statements from January 1, 2024, to date. He clarified that while the House has not passed judgment on the RSIEC chairman and his team for failing to submit to the Assembly’s oversight, their non-compliance raised serious concerns that must be addressed through external investigation.

The motion to invite the anti-corruption agencies was unanimously adopted, with all 26 members of the Assembly voting in favor.