The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a warrant for the arrest of the chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli, over his failure to appear before the House.
The warrant was issued during Monday’s plenary session, presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, following the expiration of a 72-hour ultimatum given to Enebeli to present himself for questioning.
Justice Enebeli had scheduled a fresh local government election for 9 August 2025 after the Supreme Court nullified the 5 October 2024 poll conducted by RSIEC. The apex court ruled that the election contravened Section 150 of the Electoral Act.
Following the Supreme Court judgment, the State Assembly issued an ultimatum demanding Enebeli’s appearance to explain the circumstances surrounding the annulled election.
Meanwhile, Enebeli and his commissioners have challenged the Assembly’s authority to summon them for questioning.
In their suit, they have asked the court to restrain the Assembly from compelling their appearance, arguing that such a move would be unlawful.
Justice Frank Onyiri, presiding over the case, granted leave for the claimants to serve the Assembly through substituted means and adjourned the hearing to 17 April 2025.