Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Mike Ahamba, has stated that only constitutionally empowered agencies — the Nigeria Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) — have the legal authority to investigate the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
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Speaking on Wednesday, Chief Ahamba clarified that although the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, is empowered to assess administrative decisions made during Fubara’s tenure, any findings of misconduct must be referred to the appropriate investigative bodies.
“If the sole administrator finds anything fraudulent in the office, he should report to the appropriate quarters such as the police, EFCC, and ICPC, whose duties are to investigate such indictments,” Ahamba explained.
His statement comes in the wake of reports that the sole administrator had summoned Fubara and his deputy, Dr. Ngozi Ordu, to the Government House in Port Harcourt for questioning over appointments made during the suspended administration — reports the state government has since dismissed as fake news.
Ahamba emphasized that while preliminary inquiries by the administrator are acceptable, any in-depth investigative or prosecutorial action must remain within the remit of designated federal agencies.
“The sole administrator is appointed for six months while the President oversees the security situation that led to the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. He is not expected to make political appointments but to work with existing political office holders until normalcy is restored,” he noted.
The senior lawyer also lauded the National Assembly for establishing a 21-member oversight committee to handle legislative affairs in Rivers State amid the ongoing political crisis. He urged the committee to focus on representation rather than control, stressing the need to uphold democratic values and constitutional order.
Ahamba concluded by warning against political missteps and cited the Imo State judiciary crisis, where he said Governor Hope Uzodimma was misadvised into making an unlawful appointment of an acting Chief Judge, as a cautionary tale.
“Adhering strictly to the rule of law is not optional. Misadvice from political aides and legal teams can plunge a state into unnecessary chaos,” he warned.
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