The Rivers State House of Assembly, in a decisive move to maintain law and order, has issued a stern warning to residents and institutions in the state to avoid any dealings with individuals posing as Local Government (LG) Caretaker Committee Chairmen and members. This comes on the heels of revelations about illegal activities being carried out by these impostors, which include the unauthorized collection of fees, levies, and rates from unsuspecting members of the public.
An Illegal Enterprise Exposed
During the 7th Legislative Sitting of the Second Session of the Tenth Assembly on Monday, Hon. Major Jack, the House Leader, presented a statement highlighting the fraudulent activities of certain individuals masquerading as LG Caretaker Committee officials. These impostors have been operating in defiance of a recent Supreme Court judgment and the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Law, 2023, which explicitly prohibits the existence of Caretaker Committees in any form.
“The actions of these individuals are not only illegal but also threaten the fragile peace in our state,” Hon. Jack asserted. His statement drew immediate and unanimous condemnation from fellow Assembly members, who expressed their outrage at the audacity of these fraudsters.
A Clear and Present Danger
Members of the House emphasized the dangers posed by these impostors, describing them as a significant threat to the state’s stability. They warned all banks, traditional rulers, government entities, non-governmental organizations, and businesses operating within Rivers State to refrain from transacting any business with these unelected and unlawful individuals.
“The impunity with which these impostors operate is alarming,” commented one Assembly member. “They have no legal standing, yet they go around imposing levies and withdrawing public funds meant for the local government councils.”
The Speaker’s Call to Action
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, voiced his deep concern over the situation, highlighting the more troubling aspect of these impostors accessing and squandering public funds. He urged security agencies to act swiftly to apprehend these fraudsters and prevent any potential breakdown of law and order.
“Our laws are clear,” Rt. Hon. Amaewhule stated emphatically. “Only democratically elected officials are authorized to manage the affairs of local government councils. This is in accordance with Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as altered, and Section 64(1) of the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018.”
Upholding the Rule of Law
The Speaker reiterated the Assembly’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the provisions of the constitution and state laws are respected. He underscored the Assembly’s resolve not to tolerate any actions that undermine the legal framework established to govern the state.
“We will not sit idly by and allow the crass disregard of our laws and the Supreme Court’s judgment by some impostors,” Rt. Hon. Amaewhule warned. “Our directive is clear: only democratically elected officials should pilot the affairs of the local government councils.”
A Call for Vigilance and Cooperation
In conclusion, the Assembly’s message was clear: residents and institutions in Rivers State must be vigilant and cooperate with the authorities to identify and report these impostors. The Assembly’s directive aims to protect the integrity of the state’s governance structures and ensure that public funds are used for their intended purposes.
The Rivers State House of Assembly’s strong stance against these fraudulent activities underscores its commitment to safeguarding the rule of law and maintaining peace and stability in the state. As the Assembly continues to monitor the situation closely, it is expected that security agencies will intensify efforts to bring these impostors to justice and restore confidence in the state’s governance systems.
The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activities or individuals claiming to be LG Caretaker Committee members to the appropriate authorities. By working together, the people of Rivers State can help to uphold the rule of law and ensure that only duly elected officials manage their local government councils.
