By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers House of Assembly has called on Department of State Services (DSS) to probe the Chief Judge of the State, Simeon Amadi, over alleged falsification of age.
The lawmakers made the call during the plenary on Thursday. They resolved to petition DSS, following a motion sponsored by Major Jack, the house leader.
Jack had presented documents alleging that the chief judge had manipulated his birth records. In reaction to the allegation the assembly urged the security agency to probe claims that Amadi altered his age in official civil service records.
The lawmakers argued that the allegation is a “serious” offence and must be investigated by security agencies.
They said the report of the investigation will be forwarded to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for further action.
Amaewhule said the assembly could conduct investigations but claimed that Siminalayi Fubara, the state governor, had barred heads of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) from appearing before the legislature.
The motion to involve the DSS was put to a voice vote by Amaewhule and was passed by the assembly. Rivers state has been enmeshed in political crisis following the conflict between Fubara and Wike, the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).
The rift has led to a polarisation of the Rivers state legislature.
However, about two weeks ago, the Supreme Court gave a verdict favourable to the Martin Awahuele faction of the assembly by recognizing it as the one fulfilling Constitutional stipulations.
