Rivers State High Court Bars Chief Judge From Acting On Impeachment Notices Against Governor Fubara, Deputy

Port Harcourt, Rivers State – A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has issued an injunction barring the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, from receiving or acting on any correspondence from the Rivers State House of Assembly relating to moves to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu.

The injunction was handed down by the High Court of Oyibo Local Government Area following two separate suits filed by Governor Fubara and his deputy, marked Suit No. OYHC/7/CS/2026 and Suit No. OYHC/6/CS/2026.

In the interim orders, the court restrained the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr. Martin Amaewhule, and 32 other individuals—including the Clerk of the House and the Chief Judge—from taking any steps towards the impeachment process.

The court specifically barred Justice Amadi from receiving, forwarding, considering, or acting on any request, resolution, articles of impeachment, or other forms of communication from the 1st to the 27th defendants for the purpose of constituting a panel to investigate alleged misconduct against the governor and his deputy, for a period of seven days.

Presiding judge, Justice F. A. Fiberesima, granted the order while hearing motions ex parte filed by the governor and his deputy.

The court also granted leave for the claimants to serve the interim orders and originating processes on the 1st to the 31st defendants by pasting them at the gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters.

For the 32nd defendant—the Chief Judge—the court directed that the processes be served through any staff member of the judiciary at the Chief Judge’s Chambers within the High Court premises.

Following the ruling, the matter was adjourned to January 23, 2026, for the hearing of the motion on notice.