A fresh round of crisis has kicked off in Rivers State less than 24 hours after Governor Siminalayi Fubara was denied entry into the State Assembly quarters.
The State Assembly, led by Martins Amaewhule, has invited the Department of State Security Service (DSS) to investigate the State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, over alleged age falsification.
This was the subject matter at Thursday’s plenary following the presentation of some key documents to the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, by the leader of the House, Mr. Major Jack.
After an overwhelming voice vote, the House agreed to invite the DSS to investigate the alleged age falsification by the CJ.
In an event where the Governor of the state, Fubara, is to be impeached, it is the Chief Judge of the state who is expected to set up a seven-man panel to investigate the impeachable offenses leveled against him by the House.
The Chief Judge is also saddled with the responsibility of selecting those he feels would be impartial in carrying out the investigation against the governor, after which he reverts to the House on the findings of the investigative panel.
The current moves, analysts say, are further efforts geared toward clearing the way for possibly impeaching the governor, as stripping the CJ, who is standing strong with Fubara, could help.
While speaking at the plenary, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Dumle Maol, stressedwhy the Chief Judge should be probed.
READ ALSO:Rivers Assembly denies blocking Fubara from re-presenting budget
He said, “These documents before me simply say that the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Simeon Amadi, falsified his age in service. Mr. Speaker, that is a very serious allegation, and I do hope that this House takes legislative notice.”
The House thereafter debated the subject matter and resolved to write a letter to the Director of the DSS to conduct its investigation and revert to the House on its findings for appropriate action.
In his remarks, the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, said, “The documents are only suggesting a case of age falsification by the Honourable Chief Judge of the state, Simeon Amadi. What it means is that there has to be an investigation to that effect.”
It was put to a vote, and eventually, the House agreed to write the DSS to investigate the age falsification allegation against the Chief Judge
