Lawmakers Urge Governor Fubara to Charge Ex-LG Chairmen with Treason

Members of the House of Representatives, under the aegis of G-60, have called on Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to file treason charges against former local government chairmen in the state.

The legislators accused the ex-LG bosses of attempting to continue in office despite the expiration of their three-year tenure.

The group, led by Ikenga Ugochinyere, the lawmaker representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency in Imo State, made this appeal during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday. Other notable attendees included Aliyu Mustapha (PDP, Kaduna), Matthew Nwogu (LP, Imo), and Midaila Usman (PDP, Borno).

“We appreciate Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his democratic leadership. Despite provocations, he allowed the former local government chairmen to complete their three-year tenure, unlike his predecessor, who dissolved the local government chairmen upon election in 2015, defying a court order,” Ugochinyere stated.

He further urged the Rivers State government to prepare treason charges against the 23 former LGA chairmen and their alleged co-conspirators. “They attempted to unlawfully take over the government of the 23 LGAs, fully aware that their tenure had expired,” Ugochinyere added.

Citing Section 37 of the Criminal Code Act, Ugochinyere noted, “Any person who levies war against the State, intending to intimidate or overawe the President or a Governor, is guilty of treason and liable to the death penalty. Conspiring to levy war against the State with such intent also constitutes treason and carries the same punishment.”

The legislators stressed that their call for treason charges is grounded in existing laws and urged the Rivers State government to take immediate action.