A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt issued an interim injunction Friday, stopping the state House of Assembly from advancing impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngọzi Odu.
The ruling came hours after the assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, resolved to press forward with the process despite earlier delays. Justice F. A. Fiberesima granted the ex parte orders in two suits filed by Fubara and Odu.
The application with suit number (OYHC/7/CS/2026) and (OYHC/6/CS/2026) named 27 lawmakers, the speaker, the house clerk, and Chief Judge Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi as defendants.
The court barred Speaker Amaewhule, the clerk, and 32 others from contacting the chief judge. It also restrained Justice Chibuzor-Amadi from receiving, forwarding, or acting on any impeachment-related communications from the lawmakers for seven days, preventing formation of an investigative panel over alleged gross misconduct.
The approved order was served on the defendants by pasting it on the gate of the state’s House of Assembly Quarters. The Chief Judge was served through judiciary staff at his chambers.
Meanwhile, the substantive matter was adjourned to 23rd January, for hearing of the motion on notice.
The Earlier Crisis
Recall that the House launched the impeachment in early January, marking the third attempt against Fubara since his 2023 election.
The move followed accusations by the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, alleging Fubara of violating a June 2025 peace deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu. A pro-Fubara APC faction rejected the plot, urging political dialogue.
However, the State Assembly skipped a sitting scheduled for 15th January, sparking rumors of abandonment before being recommitted today, including four lawmakers who had briefly withdrawn support.