The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a warrant for the arrest of retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli, Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), after he failed to comply with their summons.
During Monday’s plenary session, presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, the Assembly took decisive action following the expiration of a 72-hour ultimatum given to Enebeli to appear before them for questioning.
The summons stemmed from the Supreme Court’s nullification of the October 5, 2024, local government elections conducted by RSIEC, which Justice Enebeli had subsequently rescheduled for August 9, 2025. The apex court ruled that the initial elections contravened Section 150 of the Electoral Act.
Despite the Assembly’s demand for Enebeli to explain the circumstances surrounding the annulled elections, he and his commissioners have challenged the legislature’s authority to summon them. They have filed a lawsuit seeking to restrain the Assembly from compelling their appearance, arguing that such action would be unlawful.
Justice Frank Onyiri, presiding over the case, granted the claimants leave to serve the Assembly through substituted means and adjourned the hearing to April 17, 2025.
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