A major twist just hit the political crisis in Rivers State.
On Friday January 16 2026 a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt issued an interim order. It restrains the state's Chief Judge Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi from receiving forwarding considering or acting on any impeachment notice or communication from the House of Assembly.
The order targets efforts to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy Professor Ngozi Nma Odu over allegations of gross misconduct.
Justice Florence A. Fiberesima granted this relief after hearing two separate ex parte motions filed by the governor and his deputy. The suits carry marks OYHC/7/CS/2026 and OYHC/6/CS/2026.
The court also restrained Speaker Martin Amaewhule 32 other lawmakers the Clerk of the House and the Chief Judge from taking any further steps in the impeachment process. This block lasts for seven days.
Service of the order gets creative. For most defendants the court allows pasting documents at the gate of the Rivers State Assembly quarters. The Chief Judge will be served through judiciary staff at his chambers.
This ruling comes hours after the Rivers State House of Assembly unanimously voted to request the Chief Judge to set up a seven-member panel. Lawmakers insist the process must continue accusing the governor of intimidation and constitutional violations.
The feud between Governor Fubara and the assembly has simmered since 2023 often linked to broader tensions in the state.
The court adjourned the matter to January 23 2026 for hearing of the motion on notice. Until then the impeachment train stays paused.
This courtroom intervention shifts the battle from the assembly floor to the judiciary. Eyes now turn to next week's proceedings in this high-stakes Rivers political drama.
On Friday January 16 2026 a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt issued an interim order. It restrains the state's Chief Judge Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi from receiving forwarding considering or acting on any impeachment notice or communication from the House of Assembly.
The order targets efforts to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy Professor Ngozi Nma Odu over allegations of gross misconduct.
Justice Florence A. Fiberesima granted this relief after hearing two separate ex parte motions filed by the governor and his deputy. The suits carry marks OYHC/7/CS/2026 and OYHC/6/CS/2026.
The court also restrained Speaker Martin Amaewhule 32 other lawmakers the Clerk of the House and the Chief Judge from taking any further steps in the impeachment process. This block lasts for seven days.
Service of the order gets creative. For most defendants the court allows pasting documents at the gate of the Rivers State Assembly quarters. The Chief Judge will be served through judiciary staff at his chambers.
This ruling comes hours after the Rivers State House of Assembly unanimously voted to request the Chief Judge to set up a seven-member panel. Lawmakers insist the process must continue accusing the governor of intimidation and constitutional violations.
The feud between Governor Fubara and the assembly has simmered since 2023 often linked to broader tensions in the state.
The court adjourned the matter to January 23 2026 for hearing of the motion on notice. Until then the impeachment train stays paused.
This courtroom intervention shifts the battle from the assembly floor to the judiciary. Eyes now turn to next week's proceedings in this high-stakes Rivers political drama.
Tags
Politics