A tense exchange occurred at the Rivers State House of Assembly during the screening of commissioner nominees submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The footage shows the Speaker of the Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, questioning one of the nominees, Charity Deemua, over the validity of her tax clearance certificate.
During the screening exercise, Amaewhule drew attention to the documents presented by the nominee.
According to him, the tax clearance submitted appeared outdated, raising questions about whether the nominee had been paying taxes in recent years.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.
Responding to the concern, Deemua told the lawmakers that she had not maintained a regular source of income for some years.
She explained that her political involvement had not translated into stable employment.
“Like I said before, I’m a politician, I don’t have work,” she stated.
Her response triggered further questioning from the Speaker, who asked her to clarify her previous engagements in government. Deemua then informed the House that she had once served in a government role.
“I was a member, a commissioner in the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission,” she said.
The Speaker continued to probe her background, particularly her involvement in a local government caretaker committee.
“When were you? Hold on… local government caretaker committee member, right?” Amaewhule asked.
“I was just three months there,” Deemua replied.
“When? When was that?” the Speaker asked.
“And I think November last year,” she responded.
“November when? What year?” Amaewhule asked again.
“2025,” she answered.
Amaewhule then sought to determine whether she received any financial compensation during the period she served on the caretaker committee.
“You were not paid salary? Were you not paid salary?” the Speaker asked.
“In the caretaker committee, we were paid,” Deemua admitted.
The admission prompted a sharper response from the Speaker, who pointed out that receiving payment meant she had earned income during that period.
“You were paid? Yes. 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,” Amaewhule said.
In response, the nominee apologised and indicated she could revisit the issue of her tax documentation.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Speaker. But I think I can still go back for…,” she began before being interrupted.
“No, but you say you have not had any income now,” Amaewhule replied before moving on to the next nominee.
