The Center for Reform and Public Advocacy (CFRPA), a civil society organization, has written to the Nigerian Inspector General of Police, alleging that 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly are involved in impersonation and conspiracy to take over the Assembly.

The organisation described the 27 lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday as former members of the House of Assembly.

SaharaReporters on Monday reported the defection of the 27 lawmakers said to be loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory and immediate past governor of the state, Mr Nyesom Wike.

The lawmakers announced their defection on Monday at the plenary, citing division in their party – PDP as the reason for the move.

The lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule had initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, but the move failed.

The CFRPA in the petition to the Inspector General of Police, which was signed by its legal adviser, Kalu Kalu Agu Esq., demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the 27 “former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly that defected to APC for the offences of impersonation and conspiracy to commit treasonable felony”.

The organisation said its findings revealed the following facts as reasonable grounds to suspect that the “former members of the House of Assembly” should be prosecuted:

It said, “The said 27 former members are still parading themselves as members of the said House of Assembly when they are no longer members by virtue of express provisions of the 1999 Constitution and decided cases.

“The said 27 former members, being ordinary citizens, and no longer entitled to sit in the hallowed chambers of the House of Assembly created by the 1999 Constitution are still holding deliberations as such members with the intent, by their decisions and conduct, is to enter the chambers of the House and conduct proceedings with a view to passing resolutions on the affairs of the Government of Rivers State.”

The organisation told the police IG that given the foregoing, “we hereby demand that you initiate, and overtly do so, the arrest and prosecution of the said 27 people within 24 hours from the receipt of this letter.

“Take notice that if you fail to heed the demand herein made within twenty-four hours of the receipt of this letter, we shall take appropriate action to ensure that the 27 suspects are prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“We do hope wise counsel will prevail.”