Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara
A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has adjourned indefinitely the suit filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Ordu, challenging the impeachment process initiated against them by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The case, presided over by Justice Florence Fiberesima of the Oyigbo High Court, was instituted by the governor and his deputy against the Speaker of the House, Martin Chike-Amaewhule; 26 other lawmakers; and the Clerk of the House, over alleged moves to commence impeachment proceedings.
At the resumed hearing, counsel to the Speaker and 27 members of the House of Assembly, S.I. Amen, SAN, informed the court that an appeal had already been entered in the matter. He consequently made an oral application urging the court to suspend further proceedings pending the outcome of the appeal.
The application was not opposed by counsel to the claimants, Paul Orikolo, SAN. Also aligning with the position was Lawrence Oko-Jaja, counsel representing the 28th to 30th defendants — Oko Jumbo Sokari Goodboy and Orubienimigha Timothy.
In her ruling, Justice Fiberesima granted the application and adjourned the matter indefinitely. She explained that the decision followed proof that two separate appeals had been duly entered, stressing that the pause would allow the appellate court to determine the issues before it.
The judge noted that proceeding further at the trial court level could amount to an exercise in futility while the appeals remain pending.
Recall that the Oyigbo Division of the Rivers State High Court had earlier issued an interim order restraining the Speaker, Martin Chike-Amaewhule, and 32 others — including the Clerk of the House and the Chief Judge of Rivers State — from taking steps to advance the impeachment process.
Specifically, the court barred the lawmakers from forwarding any articles of impeachment or related documents to the Chief Judge for the purpose of constituting a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against the governor and his deputy.
The legal tussle is the latest development in the ongoing political crisis rocking Rivers State, as the impeachment dispute continues to draw intense public and legal attention.
