The Rivers State impeachment process involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, has hit a major legal roadblock.
On Friday, the Oyigbo High Court adjourned indefinitely a suit challenging the impeachment moves.
At the same time, the state’s Chief Judge declined the House of Assembly’s request to set up an investigative panel.
Court Halts Proceedings Over Pending Appeals
Justice Florence Fiberesima adjourned the case after being told that two appeals had already been filed at the Court of Appeal.
Lawyers to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, and 27 lawmakers informed the court of the appeals and applied for a stay of proceedings.
The application was not opposed.
The judge ruled that the matter would remain on hold until the Court of Appeal resolves the issues before it.
This effectively pauses the impeachment process.
The decision follows an earlier interim injunction by the same court.
That order restrained the Speaker, some lawmakers, the Clerk of the House and the Chief Judge from taking further steps on the impeachment.
Chief Judge Declines Assembly Request
In a related development, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, rejected the Assembly’s request to constitute a seven member investigative panel.
Justice Amadi said he was legally restrained from acting because of existing court orders and the pending appeals.
He cited the doctrine of lis pendens, which requires parties to wait for the outcome of ongoing legal proceedings.
His position was contained in a letter to the Speaker dated January 16, 2026.
The Chief Judge said his office had received two interim injunctions from the Oyigbo High Court barring him from receiving or acting on impeachment related documents for seven days.
The suits were filed separately by Governor Fubara and his deputy.
They listed the Speaker and 32 others as defendants, including the Chief Judge.
