A Rivers State High Court has issued an interim order restraining the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, from receiving or acting on any communication from the Rivers State House of Assembly related to the planned impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu.
The order was granted on Friday by the High Court sitting in Oyibo Local Government Area, Port Harcourt following two suits filed separately by Governor Fubara and Deputy Governor Odu. The suits were brought ex parte — without the other side present — in Suit Nos. OYHC/7/CS/2026 and OYHC/6/CS/2026.
Justice F. A. Fiberesima, who delivered the ruling, also restrained the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr. Martin Amaewhule, the Clerk of the Assembly and 32 other named defendants from taking any step in the impeachment process pending further court action.
Under the interim injunction, the Chief Judge is barred for seven days from receiving, forwarding, considering, or acting on any request, resolution, notice or correspondence from the Assembly that could lead to constituting a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against the governor and his deputy.
The ruling reflects a temporary pause in the impeachment process, which had advanced after the Assembly requested that the Chief Judge set up a panel to probe the allegations made by some lawmakers.
The court’s intervention means that the impeachment initiative now faces a legal hurdle before it can proceed.
The court also granted leave for the claimants to serve the interim order and originating processes on the Assembly and other defendants.
Serving the documents can be done by pasting them at the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters for lawmakers, and through judiciary staff for the Chief Judge.
The matter has been adjourned to January 23, 2026, when the court will hear the substantive motion on notice filed by the governor and his deputy.
The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Amaewhule, had insisted earlier that the impeachment process would continue despite calls for dialogue and peace. Some Assembly members argue that the legislature alone has the authority to guide the impeachment process under Nigeria’s constitution.
The legal move adds a judicial dimension to the political standoff between the governor’s camp and legislators seeking his removal over governance disagreements.
Observers say the outcome of the January 23 hearing could determine whether the impeachment process resumes or is further stalled by the courts.
