Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara
Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, has declined a request by the State House of Assembly to initiate a probe into Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.
Justice Amadi’s decision was conveyed in a letter personally signed by him and addressed to the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule.
In the letter, the Chief Judge acknowledged receipt of the Assembly’s resolution seeking the constitution of a seven-man panel to investigate the governor. However, he explained that he is constrained from acting on the request due to a subsisting court order.
Justice Amadi also referenced an appeal filed by Speaker Amaewhule against the interim order, which is currently before the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division. He noted that he has been duly served with the relevant notices of appeal.
According to the Chief Judge, the existence of the interim injunction and the pending appeal legally restricts him from taking further steps on the matter. He stressed that, under the prevailing circumstances, his hands are tied.
“As there are subsisting interim orders of injunction and an appeal against the said orders, I am legally disabled from exercising my powers under Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in this instance,” the letter stated.
The development adds another layer to the ongoing political and legal tensions in Rivers State, as the impeachment process against Governor Fubara remains stalled by judicial intervention.
