The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has condemned the actions taken against Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, labeling them as treasonable felony under Nigerian law.
In a statement on Thursday in Abuja, Gimba Hassan, Legal Manager of the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), CISLAC, asserted that these actions violate the Criminal Code Act of the 1999 Constitution.
He pointed to incidents such as the use of violence against the governor, the burning of the State House of Assembly, withdrawal of his security, and the deployment of thugs during local government elections, arguing that these acts were meant to intimidate and overpower Fubara, fitting the definition of treason under Section 37 and treasonable felony under Section 40 of the Criminal Code.
Hassan also criticized the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Rivers State House of Assembly for the governor to present the budget, stating that it lacked legal backing. Citing El-Rufai vs. House of Representatives (2003) and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, he noted that a minimum of seven days’ notice is required for a valid legislative summons.
He further lamented that the Supreme Court ruling has stalled governance in Rivers State, and the State Assembly's decision to go on a 12-week recess is worsening the crisis.
Emphasizing that power belongs to the people, Hassan urged Rivers leaders to set aside their differences and focus on governance, stressing the need to end the suffering of the citizens.
"It is time for all parties to come together, resolve their disputes, and move the state forward," he advised.
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