Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, has declined a request by the Rivers State House of Assembly to constitute a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.
In a letter dated January 20, 2026, and personally signed by him, the chief judge said he was legally restrained from acting on the request due to subsisting interim orders issued by a Rivers State High Court. The letter was addressed to the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaehwule, following a resolution passed by the Amaehwule-led Assembly on January 16, seeking the constitution of a seven-member panel under Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Justice Chibuzor-Amadi confirmed receipt of the Assembly’s resolution but explained that a High Court had issued interim injunctions restraining all parties involved in the impeachment process — including himself — from taking any further steps pending the determination of the suits before the court.
Ahead of the proposed panel’s constitution, Governor Fubara and his deputy had separately approached a Rivers State High Court sitting in Oyigbo Local Government Area, seeking interim orders to halt the impeachment process. Justice F. A. Fiberesima granted the applications, restraining the Speaker, lawmakers, the Clerk of the Assembly and the Chief Judge from taking any action or exchanging correspondence relating to the impeachment for seven days.
The court also ordered substituted service of the processes on the defendants and adjourned the cases to January 23, 2026.
In his response to the Speaker, the chief judge noted that the Assembly had since appealed the interim orders at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, and that notices of appeal were served on his office on January 19 and 20. He said the doctrine of lis pendens required all parties to maintain the status quo until the appeal was determined.
“Constitutionalism and the rule of law are the bedrock of democracy, and all persons and authorities are expected to obey subsisting orders of a court of competent jurisdiction,” Justice Chibuzor-Amadi stated.
He referenced the Court of Appeal decision in Hon. Dele Abiodun v. Chief Judge of Kwara State & Ors (2007), where a chief judge who constituted an impeachment panel in defiance of court orders was condemned and the entire process nullified.
“In view of the foregoing, my hand is fettered. There are subsisting interim orders of injunction and a pending appeal. I am therefore legally disabled, at this point, from exercising my duties under Section 188(5) of the Constitution,” the chief judge said.
Despite the legal setback, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have maintained their resolve to proceed with the impeachment process, describing it as the most viable constitutional solution to the state’s prolonged political crisis. The lawmakers insist their actions comply with Section 188(4) of the Constitution, even as four members reportedly withdrew their support in the interest of peace.
Justice Chibuzor-Amadi concluded by expressing hope that the Speaker and members of the Assembly would “appreciate the legal position of the matter.”
