Politics
Court Restrains Rivers Chief Judge from Acting on Impeachment Notice Against Fubara, Odu
The Rivers State High Court has issued an interim order restraining the Chief Judge of Rivers State from receiving or acting on any impeachment notice against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, pending the determination of a substantive motion before the court.
Justice F.A. Fiberesima, who presided over the matter, granted the order on Monday while ruling on a motion ex parte filed separately by Governor Fubara and Deputy Governor Odu. The suits are marked OYHC/7CS/2026 and OYHC/6/CS/2026.
In his ruling, Justice Fiberesima also granted leave to the claimants to serve the interim order and originating processes on the first to the 31st defendants at the gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters. The court further directed that the processes be served on the 32nd defendant, the Rivers State Chief Judge, through any judiciary staff at his chambers within the High Court premises.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter to January 23, 2026, for the hearing of the motion on notice.
The court order follows a move by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who last Friday formally requested the Chief Judge to constitute a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against the governor and his deputy. Lawmakers had earlier announced a unanimous resolution to proceed with the impeachment process.
However, the court’s intervention has effectively suspended the impeachment process, pending further legal proceedings and determination of the substantive issues before the court.
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