The Rivers House of Assembly says the impeachment process against Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state, and Ngozi Odu, his deputy, is on course.

On Thursday, the state parliament commenced impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy.

The lawmakers launched the process after Major Jack, Leader of the assembly, read gross misconduct charges against Fubara, signed by 26 members of the house.

On Friday, reports claimed that the Rivers State House of Assembly had suspended the impeachment process against the governor.

Responding to the reports in a statement, Enemi George, chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions, and Complaints, said notices of gross misconduct have been forwarded to Fubara and Odu, noting that lawmakers are awaiting their responses.

George maintained that the process has not been suspended or discontinued, describing the reports as false narratives aimed at misleading the public and causing disaffection.

“We are aware that certain persons and media platforms are at it again to misinform the public, particularly to the effect that the process has been halted or discontinued,” the statement reads.

“Some are trending false narratives to cause disaffection between the House and well-meaning Nigerians. Therefore, with the leave of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule DSSRS.

“I call on all and sundry to disregard their antics, as their actions have already failed. We remain committed to our constitutional duties and will not be dissuaded by cheap blackmail or threats from those who do not have our country’s nascent democracy at heart.

George asked the public to disregard what he described as antics, saying the house would not be deterred by “cheap blackmail or threats” and remains committed to its constitutional duties.

The Rivers State Elders and Leaders Forum has called on the Martin Amaewhule-led state House of Assembly to suspend all impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara for peace to reign.

Recall that the 27 lawmakers who make up the majority in the house had on Thursday served an impeachment notice on the governor and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, over alleged misconduct and abuse of office.

The lawmakers gave the governor seven days to respond to all the allegations levelled against him.

But the forum, in a statement, faulted the move by the lawmakers, saying the reasons advanced for their action are unconstitutional and lacking substance.

The statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday night was signed by the forum’s acting Chairman, Dr Gabriel Toby.

Tony, a former deputy governor of the state, expressed sadness that the renewed political feud that has culminated in the threat of impeachment came just a few months after the state was recovering from six months of emergency rule that halted democratic governance in the oil-rich state.

While condemning the move outright, the forum said the action of the lawmakers is self-serving rather than for the good of the state, saying it will not stay silent on a development that threatens the peace, stability, and future of the state

The statement party reads, “The Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum expresses deep concern and unequivocal condemnation of the recent impeachment notice issued against Governor Sir Sim Fubara and his deputy Prof. Ngozi Ordu by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“Impeachment is a serious constitutional process, not a tool for political vendettas or factional struggles. The reasons so far advanced in support of this action are disturbingly weak, lacking substance, public interest justification, or constitutional weight.

“They appear driven by narrow personal interests rather than genuine concern for good governance.

“The Forum reminds the Rivers State House of Assembly that the Governor’s mandate was freely given by the people of Rivers State and can only be questioned in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, due process, and based on clear, compelling, and verifiable grounds.

“We warn that the current course of action risks deepening political divisions, eroding public trust in democratic institutions, and further destabilizing an already fragile polity.

“Rivers State has not fully recovered from the political, social, and institutional disruptions of the recent period of emergency rule.

“Our people continue to bear the consequences of that episode, and this development, so early in the year, risks reopening old wounds and heightening tensions at a time when stability and focused governance are urgently needed.”

It continued, “Accordingly, we call on the Rivers State House of Assembly to immediately retrace its steps and place the collective interest, peace, and progress of Rivers State above all partisan or personal considerations.

“The Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum remains firmly committed to peace, unity, justice, and constitutional democracy in Rivers State. We will not be silent in the face of any action that threatens the stability, dignity, and future of our state.”

Authorities in Jersey will repatriate more than $9.5 million (£7 million) linked to “tainted property” to the Nigerian government.

PorscheClassy News understands that the funds were looted by Sani Abacha, former head of state, who ruled Nigeria from 1993 until his death in 1998.

The sum was recovered under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, but legal proceedings stalled the return to Nigeria.

Mark Temple, attorney-general of Jersey, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Nigeria in December to facilitate the return of the funds, which were held in a bank account on the island.

The BBC reports that the agreement builds on two earlier arrangements between Jersey and Nigeria that led to the repatriation of over $300 million (£230 million) in recovered assets.

In a ruling delivered in January 2024, the Royal Court in Jersey held that the funds were “more likely than not” proceeds of corruption, finding that third-party contractors diverted public funds “for the benefit of senior Nigerian officials and their associates”.

Lateef Fagbemi, Nigeria’s attorney-general and minister of justice, said the recovered assets would be utilised strictly in line with the terms of the MoU.

“The successful recovery and repatriation of the forfeited assets underscores the effectiveness of Nigeria’s collaborative efforts with its international partners in ensuring that there is no safe haven for illicitly acquired wealth or assets moved to foreign jurisdictions,” Fagbemi said.

He added that the funds would be channelled towards the final stages of a major highway project that serves as a “vital link” between Abuja and Nigeria’s second-largest city.

Temple said the repatriation demonstrates the effectiveness of Jersey’s legal framework in tackling corruption.

“The return demonstrates the strength of our civil forfeiture legislation as a powerful tool in the fight against corruption,” he said.