Opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives have faulted the attempt by 23 former local government chairmen in Rivers state loyal to the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike to forcefully retain their seats after the constitutional expiration of their three years tenure as treasonable.
The lawmakers, however, commended Governor Similayi Fubara and the citizens of Rivers state for resisting the attempt by disgruntled elements to take over the administration of local government councils in breach of the law.
The opposition lawmakers under the umbrella of of G60 disclosed this on Tuesday while addressing a press conference after an emergency meeting in Abuja frowned at what they referred to as attempted treason.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere the opposition lawmakers accused the former local government chairmen of breaching the provisions of Section 37(1) of the criminal code Act, Section 39 of the Nigeria Police Act, Section 12 of the criminal procedure code, Section 23 of the criminal procedure code and section 1(2) of the constitution that frowns at anybody or group of persons that attempts to unlawfully occupy position of power in the country or forcefully attempt to take over government in any part of Nigeria.
Ugochinyere stated: “We salute the courage of the Rivers state people who came out boldly to protect the local government and foil the attempt to unlawfully seize the institution of governance by the former chairmen.
“This heroic action is in line with section 20 of the administration of the criminal justice Act that empowers citizens to arrest and foil any criminal act being committed in their presence.”
Ugochinyere added that Section 39 of the Nigeria Police Act of 2020 states that “a private person may arrest a suspect in Nigeria who in his presence commits an offence or whom he reasonably suspects of having committed an offence for which the police is entitled to arrest without a warrant”.
“Section 37 Criminal Code Act(1) states that “Any person who levies war against the State, in order to intimidate or overawe the President or the Governor of a State, is guilty of treason, and is liable to the punishment of death.
“(2) Any person conspiring with any person, either within or without Nigeria, to levy war against the State with intent to cause such levying of war as would be treason if committed by a citizen of Nigeria, is guilty of treason and is liable to the punishment of death:
“Provided that nothing in this section shall prevent any act from being treason which is so by the laws of England as in force in Nigeria.”
He called on the judiciary to remain vigilant in curbing the activities of persons desperate to take over institutions of governance in Rivers State or any part of the country.