Pro-Wike lawmakers petition DSS to probe alleged age falsification by Rivers CJ

The Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers house of assembly has asked the Department of State Services (DSS) to probe Simeon Amadi, chief judge of the state, over alleged falsification of age.

During the plenary on Thursday, the Rivers lawmakers resolved to petition DSS, urging the security agency to probe claims that Amadi altered his age in official civil service records.

The motion was sponsored by Major Jack, the house leader, who presented documents alleging that the chief judge had manipulated his birth records.

The lawmakers argued that the allegation is a “serious” offence and must be investigated by security agencies.

They said the report of the investigation will be forwarded to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for further action.

Amaewhule said the assembly could conduct investigations but claimed that Siminalayi Fubara, the state governor, had barred heads of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) from appearing before the legislature.

The motion to involve the DSS was put to a voice vote by Amaewhule and was passed by the assembly.

Rivers state has been enmeshed in political crisis following the conflict between Fubara and Wike, the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

The rift has led to a polarisation of the Rivers state legislature.