A tense moment unfolded at the Rivers State House of Assembly during the screening of commissioner nominees submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
A video from the screening session, which is now making rounds online, shows the Speaker of the Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, questioning a commissioner nominee, Charity Deemua, over the status of her tax clearance certificate.
During the screening, Amaewhule noted that the nominee’s tax clearance appeared outdated and raised concerns about whether she had been paying taxes in recent years.
“I just wanted to know, so there’s no current tax clearance. Madam has not been paying tax since 2018. I just wanted to know if she’s been exempted from paying taxes. So let her tell us now,” the Speaker said during the session.
In response, Deemua told the lawmakers that she has not had a steady source of income in recent years.
“Like I said before, I’m a politician, I don’t have work,” she said.
When asked to clarify her employment history, the nominee explained that she had previously served briefly in government.
“I was a member, a commissioner in the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission,” she said.
Amaewhule then pressed further about her role in a local government caretaker committee.
“Hold on… local government caretaker committee member, right?” the Speaker asked.
“I was just three months there,” Deemua replied.
“When was that?” Amaewhule asked.
“I think November last year,” she said.
“November when? What year?” the Speaker asked again.
“2025,” Deemua responded.
The Speaker then asked whether she earned income during the period she served on the caretaker committee.
“You were not paid salary? Were you not paid salary?” Amaewhule asked.
“In the caretaker committee, we were paid,” Deemua admitted.
Amaewhule highlighted the contradiction between her earlier claim of having no income since 2018 and her acknowledgment of receiving payment while serving on the committee.
“You were paid? Is that not income? But you said you have not had any income from 2018 to date as a politician.
“So no tax clearance, and that’s what you are telling Rivers people. Madam, that is not nice. You are misleading the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly,” the Speaker said.
Meanwhile, those screened and confirmed by the House during its sitting were Mr. Tonye Bellgam, Professor Temple Nwofor, Dr Peters Nwagor, Mr Lekue Kenneth and Sir Amairigha Edward Hart.
Those rejected by the lawmakers were Professor Datonye Alasia, Mrs Charity Deemua, Tamuno Williams and Otonye T.K.D. Amachree.