By Peter Omopo
A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has issued an interim order restraining the Chief Judge of the state from accepting or acting on an impeachment notice against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
The order followed moves by the Rivers State House of Assembly, which had requested the Chief Judge to constitute a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the governor and his deputy. The lawmakers made the request after a unanimous resolution, insisting that the impeachment process would continue despite what they described as attempts by the executive to intimidate and blackmail the legislature.
In a statement signed by the Speaker of the House, Martins Chike Amaewhule, and forwarded to the Chief Judge on January 16, the Assembly formally asked for the setting up of an investigative panel in line with constitutional provisions.
However, in a ruling delivered on Friday, Justice F.A. Fiberesima, acting on a motion ex parte in two separate suits filed by Governor Fubara and his deputy, restrained the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, from receiving, forwarding, considering or acting on any resolution, articles of impeachment or related communication aimed at constituting a panel to probe the allegations.
The court ordered that the restraint would remain in force for seven days.
Justice Fiberesima also granted leave to the claimants to serve the interim order and originating processes in Suit Nos. OYHC/7CS/2026 and OYHC/6/CS/2026, as well as all subsequent court documents, on the first to 31st defendants by substituted means at the gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The ruling has added a new legal twist to the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, as tensions continue between the executive and the legislature over the impeachment move.
