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By Lizzy Chirkpi
Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have returned the sum of N100,000 each credited to their personal bank accounts on the directive of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing the payment as unsolicited and unapproved.
The refund was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday, December 30, 2025, and signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi Aabo George.
According to the statement, lawmakers of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly received bank alerts for the funds without prior notification or legislative approval.
“Today, the 30th day of December 2025, Honourable members of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly received bank credit alerts of the sum of one hundred thousand naira each,” the statement said.
It further stated that, “The said unsolicited and unapproved amount was transferred on the instructions of the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Sim Fubara, to the personal accounts of members.”
The Assembly explained that immediately after identifying the source and nature of the transfers, members collectively resolved to refund the money to the Rivers State Government.
“Upon discovery of these unsolicited and unapproved transfers, Honourable members of the House took immediate steps to formally return the said funds to the account of the Rivers State Government,” the statement noted.
Reaffirming its adherence to constitutional governance, the House stressed that all public expenditure must strictly comply with due process and receive legislative authorization.
“As an institution established by law and guided strictly by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Rivers State House of Assembly maintains that all public expenditures must follow due process, including legislative approval,” the statement added.
The lawmakers also accused Governor Fubara of persistently withdrawing funds from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Account without the consent of the legislature.
“The governor, since assuming office in 2025, has consistently drawn from the Consolidated Revenue Account of Rivers State without legislative approval, despite repeated warnings from the House, judgements of the Supreme Court, and in defiance of the Constitution and principles of separation of powers,” the statement concluded.
The development comes against the backdrop of renewed political tensions between Governor Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.