Legal Expert Labels Court Order on Fubara’s Impeachment a Constitutional Violation

Legal practitioner Godspower Egbule has criticized the court order halting the impeachment process of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, calling it a “flagrant disobedience” of the Nigerian Constitution. Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Egbule argued that the judiciary is overstepping its bounds by interfering with the legislative duties of the House of Assembly.  

Egbule maintained that the Rivers State House of Assembly has strictly adhered to legal provisions regarding the impeachment proceedings. He emphasized that the assembly is performing its constitutional role of oversight, and any judicial intervention at this stage disrupts the established order of governance.

The lawyer asserted that legal action to stop the process is currently “premature” given the specific timeline and procedures laid out by the law. He noted that the legislature must be allowed to exercise its authority before the court can reasonably intervene in the matter.

Directly addressing the conflict, Egbule stated: “The court order on the impeachment process of Governor Fubara is a clear, flagrant disobedience of the constitution.” He argued that the order undermines the very document it is supposed to protect.

Highlighting the structural design of the government, Egbule reminded viewers that Nigeria operates a constitutional democracy built on the principle of separation of powers. This system is designed to ensure that the three branches of government—executive, legislative, and judicial—operate independently yet provide necessary checks on one another.  

He further explained that the current tension in Rivers State is a practical application of these checks and balances. “Within the context of what we have in Rivers State is that you have the House of Assembly that is checking the excesses of the executive,” Egbule remarked.

Concluding his legal analysis, Egbule pointed to the foundational strength of the nation’s law. “First, the Constitution in Section one says the constitution is supreme and its provision shall have binding force on all the persons and authority,” he said, suggesting that no court order should supersede these clear constitutional mandates.