The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, has explained his decision to decline the request by the Rivers State House of Assembly to constitute a seven-man panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, citing existing court orders restraining him from taking such action.
Justice Amadi’s position was conveyed in a letter dated January 20, 2026, personally signed by him and addressed to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule. The Assembly had initiated impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy and, in a letter dated January 16, 2026, formally requested the Chief Judge to constitute a probe panel in line with Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
However, the Chief Judge disclosed that on the same day he received the Assembly’s request, his office was also served with two separate interim injunctions issued by the Oyibo Division of the Rivers State High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt. The orders restrained him from receiving, considering, or acting on any impeachment-related communication from the lawmakers.
According to Justice Amadi, the injunctions arose from two suits filed by Governor Fubara and his deputy, identified as Suit No. OYHC/7/CS/2026 and Suit No. OYHC/6/CS/2026 respectively, in which he is listed as the 32nd defendant. The interim orders, he said, barred him from taking any action for seven days pending further proceedings.
He further noted that the House of Assembly has appealed the injunctions at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, and that he has been served with the notices of appeal. Citing the doctrine of lis pendens, Justice Amadi stressed that all parties must await the outcome of the appeal.
The Chief Judge emphasized that constitutionalism and the rule of law remain the foundation of democracy, insisting that he is legally constrained from acting until the court orders are set aside or the cases are determined.
