A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has issued an interim order restraining the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, from receiving, acting on, or giving effect to any impeachment notice against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu.
The court also restrained the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martins Chike Amaewhule, alongside the Clerk of the House and other members of the Assembly, from taking further steps in the impeachment process pending the determination of a substantive suit before the court.
The order followed an ex-parte application filed by the governor and his deputy, who are challenging the legality of the impeachment moves initiated by the Assembly. In its ruling, the court directed all parties to maintain the status quo and refrain from actions that could prejudice the matter.
Specifically, the court barred the Chief Judge from receiving or processing any correspondence, notice, resolution, or request from the Assembly seeking the constitution of a panel to investigate alleged misconduct against the governor and his deputy.
The court further ordered that all defendants be properly served with the relevant court processes and fixed a date for the hearing of the motion on notice.
The ruling comes amid heightened political tension in Rivers State over attempts by members of the State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy.
