Rivers Assembly Issues Arrest Warrant for RSIEC Chairman, Commissioners

The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued an arrest warrant for the RSIEC chairman and commissioners over alleged violations related to the upcoming local government elections.

The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued arrest warrants for Justice Adolphus Enebeli (Retd.), the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), and four other commissioners due to their failure to appear before the Assembly.

The decision was made after the officials disregarded both a 72-hour ultimatum, which ended on Monday, and an earlier 48-hour deadline that passed last Friday.

In Monday’s plenary session, Speaker Martin Amaewhule and the Assembly unanimously agreed to issue an arrest warrant, underscoring their commitment to holding RSIEC officials accountable.

The officials were summoned by the lawmakers to address crucial questions about how the state’s electoral processes had been conducted.

Earlier on Monday, Ibiemebo Evelyn Thompson, the RSIEC Commissioner responsible for Transport, Logistics, and Store management, stepped down. She cited the recent Supreme Court decision that nullified the local government elections scheduled for October 5, 2024 in the state as her reason for resigning.

Her resignation comes after two other commissioners, Lazberry Nnah and Professor Simeon Weli, also stepped down last week for the same reason.

As Justice Enebeli, the RSIEC Chairman, has not yet responded to the Assembly’s summons, his next course of action remains uncertain.