A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has restrained the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, from accepting or acting on any impeachment notice against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Ngozi Odu.
The order followed moves by the Rivers State House of Assembly, which had earlier directed the Chief Judge to constitute a panel to investigate allegations of misconduct against the governor and his deputy.
The injunction was issued by the High Court of Oyibo Local Government Area, sitting in Port Harcourt, after two separate suits were filed by Governor Fubara and his deputy. The suits are marked OYHC/7/CS/2026 and OYHC/6/CS/2026.
In its interim ruling, the court restrained the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, alongside 32 other defendants including the Clerk of the House and the Chief Judge from taking any steps whatsoever toward the impeachment process.
Specifically, the court barred Justice Amadi from receiving, forwarding, considering or acting upon any request, resolution, articles of impeachment or related communication from the 1st to the 27th defendants aimed at constituting a panel to probe the governor and his deputy. The restraint is to last for seven days.
The ruling was delivered by Justice F. A. Fiberesima, who granted the motions ex parte filed by the governor and his deputy.
Justice Fiberesima also granted permission for substituted service of the court papers. He ordered that the interim orders and originating processes be served on the 1st to the 31st defendants by pasting them at the gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters.
In addition, the court directed that the 32nd defendant, the Chief Judge of Rivers State; be served through any judiciary staff at the Chief Judge’s Chambers within the High Court premises.
The development temporarily halts all impeachment-related actions against Governor Fubara and his deputy, pending further proceedings.
