Justice Amadi cites court orders halting probe into Rivers state governor and deputy amid Assembly moves
The political tension in Rivers State has deepened as the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Simeon Amadi, has declined to constitute a seven-member panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu.
The decision follows ongoing impeachment moves initiated by the Rivers State House of Assembly, which had formally requested the Chief Judge to set up a probe panel in line with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution. However, Justice Amadi said he is legally restrained from acting on the request due to subsisting court orders.
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, the Chief Judge explained that interim injunctions issued by the Rivers State High Court bar him from receiving, processing, or acting on any impeachment-related communication concerning the governor and his deputy.
The court orders, which arose from separate suits filed by Governor Fubara and his deputy, reportedly directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the cases. Justice Amadi stressed that as a judicial officer, he is bound to obey valid court orders until they are set aside by a higher court.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has since filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal, challenging the injunctions that halted the impeachment process. Despite this, legal experts note that the doctrine of lis pendens applies, meaning all actions connected to the matter must remain suspended until the appeal is resolved.
The impeachment attempt has further exposed the deepening political rift in Rivers State, amid an ongoing power struggle between the executive and the legislature. Observers warn that continued institutional clashes could worsen governance challenges in the oil-rich state.
For now, the impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy remain stalled, with all eyes on the appellate court’s decision, which is expected to determine the next phase of the unfolding political crisis.
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