By Abiola Olawale
Tension has continued to escalate in Rivers State as the Rivers State House of Assembly has issued an arrest warrant for the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd).
This is as the Assembly cited allegations of misconduct and failure to comply with legislative summons.
The Assembly’s decision follows a heated session on Monday, where lawmakers accused the electoral chief of mismanaging funds and flouting due process during recent local government elections.
Speaker of the House, Hon. Martin Amaewhule, stated that the warrant was necessary to ensure accountability and transparency in the state’s electoral process.
“We cannot allow those entrusted with public responsibility to act above the law. The RSIEC Chairman must answer to the people of Rivers State,” Amaewhule declared.
The New Diplomat reports that the Assembly had previously summoned the electoral chief to appear before it within 48 hours to address concerns over his spending and actions during the council elections held last year. His failure to honour the invitation prompted the lawmakers to escalate their response, with a unanimous vote authorizing his arrest.
It would also be recalled that the Enebeli-led RSIEC had fixed August 9, 2025, to conduct a fresh Local Government (LG) poll in the state following a Supreme Court verdict that annulled the October 5, 2024, local government poll conducted in the state.
