Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara
Rivers State High Court sitting in Oyigbo Local Government Area has intervened in the deepening political crisis in the state, issuing an interim injunction that temporarily stops all actions connected to the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Nma-Odu.
In a ruling delivered in Port Harcourt, the court restrained the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 32 other defendants from taking further steps to advance the impeachment process against the governor and his deputy.
Those affected by the order include the Clerk of the House of Assembly and the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi.
The court according to Channels TV report, specifically barred the Chief Judge from receiving, processing, or acting on any impeachment-related communication or resolution from the Assembly aimed at setting up an investigative panel.
The interim injunction, which is to remain in force for seven days, was granted by Justice Florence Fiberesima following the hearing of motions ex parte filed separately by Governor Fubara and his deputy.
The suits, marked OYHC/7/CS/2026 and OYHC/6/CS/2026, also granted the claimants permission to serve the interim order and other court processes on the first to the 31st defendants by pasting them at the gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters.
With respect to the 32nd defendant, the court directed that the Chief Judge be served through any staff of the judiciary at his chambers within the court premises.
Justice Fiberesima subsequently adjourned the matter to January 23, 2026, for the hearing of the motion on notice, as the dispute over the impeachment effort formally moved from the political space to the courtroom.
The court’s decision came barely a day after the Rivers State House of Assembly called on the Chief Judge to constitute a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct leveled against Governor Fubara and his deputy.
The lawmakers, who said the decision was reached through a unanimous vote, insisted they were determined to push ahead with the impeachment process despite mounting controversy surrounding the move.
Earlier, members of the Assembly had addressed a press conference in Port Harcourt, where they accused Governor Fubara of alleged blackmail and intimidation of lawmakers.
The Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol, claimed the governor no longer enjoyed the confidence required to manage the crisis facing the oil-rich state.
The lawmakers further accused the governor of violating provisions of the 1999 Constitution, arguing that impeachment remained their only constitutional option.
While thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for intervening in the crisis, they also urged Speaker Martin Amaewhule to reconvene the House, weeks after the impeachment process against Fubara and Odu was first initiated on allegations of gross negligence.
