Rivers Chief Judge Halts Fubara Impeachment Citing Legal Inability

The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, has officially declined the Rivers State House of Assembly’s request to constitute a seven-member panel to investigate Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu. In a formal response to Speaker Martin Amaewhule, the Chief Judge clarified that his hands are “legally fettered” by subsisting court orders.

The decision follows an intense legislative push to oust the governor over allegations of gross misconduct. On January 16, 2026, the Assembly forwarded a resolution to the Chief Judge, accompanied by extensive documentation, demanding the immediate activation of Section 188(5) of the Constitution to begin the probe.

However, Justice Amadi noted that he was served with two interim injunctions—suits OYHC/6/CS/2026 and OYHC/7/CS/2026—issued by the Rivers State High Court in Oyigbo on the same day the Assembly made its request. These orders expressly restrain the Chief Judge from receiving or acting upon any impeachment communication for a period of seven days.

“By the doctrine of ‘lis pendens’, parties and the court have to await the outcome of the appeal,” Justice Amadi stated in the letter. He emphasized that because the House of Assembly has already filed an appeal against these interim orders, the matter must remain at status quo until the higher court reaches a determination.

The Chief Judge reinforced his position by citing judicial precedents, warning that proceeding in defiance of a valid court order would violate the rule of law. He maintained that he is “legally disabled” from exercising his constitutional duties at this stage of the proceedings.

This development effectively stalls the impeachment process, moving the conflict from the floor of the House to the courtroom. With the High Court set to hear the motion on notice on January 23, 2026, the political future of the state remains in legal limbo.

The situation has cooled tensions in Port Harcourt temporarily, though the Amaewhule-led Assembly has previously expressed its intent to proceed despite judicial interventions, arguing that the court lacks jurisdiction over impeachment matters.