The political standoff between the executive and legislative arms in Rivers State deepened on Monday after the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, declined a request by the House of Assembly to set up a seven-member impeachment panel against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.
In a letter dated January 20, 2026, and personally signed by the Chief Judge, Chibuzor-Amadi informed the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaehwule, that he could not act on the request because he is a named defendant in separate lawsuits filed by the governor and his deputy before a Rivers State High Court.
The Chief Judge confirmed receipt of the Assembly’s resolution seeking the constitution of an impeachment panel but explained that he was bound by an existing court order restraining any further steps in the process.
Earlier, on January 16, the Amaehwule-led Assembly had formally asked the Chief Judge to appoint a seven-man panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against the governor and his deputy, insisting that the impeachment process would continue despite internal disagreements among lawmakers.
In their correspondence, the legislators maintained that their actions were guided by Section 188(4) of the 1999 Constitution, providing documents and notices to support the request for an investigative panel.
However, while awaiting the Chief Judge’s response, Governor Fubara and his deputy separately approached a High Court sitting in Oyigbo Local Government Area, seeking interim injunctions to halt the impeachment process.
Justice F. A. Fiberesima, who presided over the suits, granted interim orders restraining the Speaker, lawmakers, and the Chief Judge from taking further steps toward impeachment, including the transmission or consideration of any related documents. The court also directed that the orders be served on the defendants and adjourned the matter to January 23, 2026.
Responding to the Assembly, Justice Chibuzor-Amadi said the interim court orders legally prevented him from acting on the lawmakers’ request. He further disclosed that the Speaker had already filed an appeal against the orders at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, and that notices of appeal had been served on his office.
Citing constitutional principles and judicial precedents, the Chief Judge stressed that all parties were obligated to obey subsisting court orders until they were set aside. He referenced previous appellate decisions that condemned judicial actions taken in defiance of restraining orders.
Given the pending suits and appeal, Chibuzor-Amadi stated that he was legally restrained from exercising his powers under Section 188(5) of the Constitution and urged the lawmakers to appreciate the legal position of the matter.
