‘You Need Reorientation Training,’ Barr Amadi Sweeps at Amaewhule-Led Rivers HoA Over 48-Hour Ultimatum, Says ‘We’re in a Democracy’

By Emmanuel Kwada

A legal dispute has emerged in Rivers State following a strongly worded pre-action notice issued by Ibuchim Chambers, a law firm based in Jabi, Abuja.

The notice, dated March 5, 2025, was authored by Barrister Kenneth A. Amadi, Esq., Solicitor of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP), and addressed to the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule.

The notice demands the immediate withdrawal of a 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Rivers State House of Assembly to the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), directing the latter to appear before the Assembly.

The ultimatum violates legal protocols, citing Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999

Barr. Amadi argues that the ultimatum violates legal protocols, citing Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, and the case of El-Rufai vs. House of Representatives, National Assembly (2003). According to Amadi, the law mandates a minimum of seven days’ notice for such invitations, as stipulated under the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2018.

In the notice, Barr. Amadi accuses the Assembly of overstepping its authority and operating in a manner inconsistent with democratic principles. He emphasizes that Nigeria operates as a democracy, not a dictatorship, and that ultimatums issued without regard for legal frameworks undermine the rule of law. Should the Assembly fail to retract the ultimatum within the stipulated 48 hours, Ibuchim Chambers has threatened to seek legal redress in a court of law.

In a notable gesture, the law firm has offered to conduct a re-orientation training workshop for the Rivers State House of Assembly at no cost. The proposed workshop aims to educate legislators on the scope of their powers as outlined in the Nigerian Constitution, with the goal of fostering greater compliance with legal and democratic standards.

The development has heightened tensions between the legal community and the Amaewhule-led Assembly, raising questions about the potential for a courtroom showdown. Observers are closely monitoring the situation to see whether the Assembly will comply with the demands or if the matter will escalate to litigation.