A Rivers State High Court has temporarily halted efforts by the Rivers State House of Assembly to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy.
The court issued an interim restraining order on Friday that also bars the state’s chief judge from acting on impeachment-related matters.
In a ruling delivered in Port Harcourt, the court, sitting in Oyibo Local Government Area, issued an injunction against the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, and more than 30 others.
Those listed include the Clerk of the Assembly and Chief Judge Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi.
The order stops them from proceeding with the impeachment process for seven days.
The injunction specifically restrains the chief judge from receiving, forwarding, considering or acting on any request, resolution or articles of impeachment.
It also bars any other communication related to forming an investigative panel to probe alleged misconduct by Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma-Odu.
The ruling followed two separate suits filed by the governor and his deputy at the Rivers State High Court seeking to prevent the impeachment process from advancing.
Justice F. A. Fiberesima granted the motions ex parte and adjourned the matter for further hearing on Jan. 23.
Lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly had earlier voted to begin impeachment proceedings, alleging gross misconduct by Fubara and Nma-Odu.
In response to the court order, a spokesman for the Assembly said the chief judge had already acknowledged receipt of the impeachment notices.
The spokesman also insisted that the judiciary lacked jurisdiction over impeachment matters.
