In a significant political and legal development in Rivers State, the Oyigbo High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has adjourned indefinitely the suit filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, challenging the impeachment process initiated against them by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Justice Florence Fiberesima took the decision after being informed that two separate appeals had been filed in relation to the matter. The court held that the adjournment would allow the Court of Appeal to first resolve the issues raised before it.
At the resumed hearing, counsel to the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 27 lawmakers, S.I. Amen (SAN), informed the court of the pending appeals and orally applied for a stay of proceedings.
The application was not opposed by counsel to the claimants, Paul Orikoro (SAN), nor by Lawrence Oko-Jaja (SAN), who represents Victor Oko-Jumbo, Orubienimigha Timothy, and Sokari Goodboy—other defendants in the suit.
Consequently, Justice Fiberesima adjourned the matter sine die, pending the determination of the appeals.
The development follows an earlier interim injunction granted by the same court, which restrained the Speaker, several lawmakers, the Clerk of the House, and the Chief Judge of Rivers State from taking any further steps toward the impeachment of the governor and his deputy.
The injunction specifically barred the forwarding, consideration, or processing of impeachment notices or related documents for the purpose of constituting an investigative panel over allegations of gross misconduct.
Rivers Chief Judge Declines Assembly’s Request
Meanwhile, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon C. Amadi, has declined a request by the Rivers State House of Assembly to constitute a seven-man investigative panel to probe allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Nma-Odu.
Justice Amadi cited subsisting court orders and a pending appeal as the basis for his decision. His position was communicated in a formal letter addressed to the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, acknowledging receipt of two separate requests dated January 16, 2026.
The requests, made pursuant to Sections 188(4) and 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), followed resolutions of the House to initiate impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy.
Invoking the doctrine of lis pendens, Justice Amadi stated that both the parties and the court must await the outcome of the pending appeal.
“In view of the foregoing, my hand is fettered, as there are subsisting interim orders of injunction and appeals against the said orders. I am therefore legally disabled at this point from exercising my duties under Section 188(5) of the Constitution in the instant,” the Chief Judge wrote.
He noted that the Assembly’s requests were accompanied by extensive documentation, including notices of allegations of gross misconduct, the Rivers State Impeachment Panel (Conduct of Investigations) Procedure, 2025, and relevant newspaper publications.
However, Justice Amadi disclosed that his office had earlier been served with two interim injunctions issued on January 16, 2026, by the Rivers State High Court sitting in Oyigbo.
The suits—OYHC/6/CS/2026 filed by the Deputy Governor and OYHC/7/CS/2026 filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara—listed the Speaker and 32 others as defendants, with the Chief Judge named as the 32nd defendant.
The interim orders expressly restrain the Chief Judge from receiving, forwarding, considering, or acting on any request, resolution, articles of impeachment, or related communication from the House of Assembly concerning the impeachment process for a period of seven days. Certified true copies of the court orders were attached to the correspondence.
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