Court bars Rivers Chief Judge from acting on impeachment notice against Gov. Fubara
A High court has restrained the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, from receiving or acting on any impeachment notice against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, pending the determination of a substantive suit before it.
The order was issued following an ex-parte application brought by parties aligned with the state government, who asked the court to halt all steps that could advance impeachment proceedings against the governor. The applicants argued that the impeachment move was procedurally flawed and capable of causing irreparable constitutional damage if allowed to proceed.
In its ruling, the court directed that Justice Amadi should refrain from accepting, processing, or responding to any notice of allegations purportedly issued by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly against Governor Fubara, until the motion on notice is heard and determined.
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The court further ordered all parties to maintain the status quo, warning against any actions that could undermine the authority of the judiciary or pre-empt its final decision on the matter.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who has been locked in a prolonged political crisis with factions of the Rivers Assembly, is yet to personally comment on the ruling. However, sources close to the government described the court order as a relief and a reaffirmation of due process.
The impeachment push is believed to be spearheaded by lawmakers loyal to former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, deepening the political standoff in the oil-rich state.
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Legal observers say the ruling places a temporary check on the impeachment process and underscores the judiciary’s role in resolving the escalating constitutional dispute in Rivers State.
The case has been adjourned to a later date for the hearing of the motion on notice, where all parties, including the Rivers State House of Assembly, are expected to be fully heard.
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