A High Court sitting in Oyigbo, Rivers State, has indefinitely suspended hearing in the suit filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma-Odu, challenging the impeachment process initiated against them.
Justice Florence Fiberesima ordered the suspension on Wednesday after confirming that appeals had been properly filed before an appellate court. The suit was instituted against the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, 26 other lawmakers, and the Clerk of the House, over steps taken toward the governor’s impeachment.
During proceedings, counsel to the Speaker and the 27 lawmakers, S. I. Ameh, SAN, informed the court that an appeal had already been lodged and orally applied for a stay of proceedings pending its determination. The application was not opposed by counsel to the claimants, Paul O. Orikoro, SAN, nor by Lawrence Oko-Jaja, SAN, who represented the 28th to 30th defendants.
In her ruling, Justice Fiberesima adjourned the matter sine die, stating that since two separate appeals had been filed, it was appropriate for the appellate court to first resolve the issues raised.
The court had earlier granted an interim injunction restraining the Speaker, 27 lawmakers, the Clerk of the House, and the Chief Judge of Rivers State from taking further steps in the impeachment process. The order specifically barred the submission of any impeachment notice or related documents to the Chief Judge for the constitution of a probe panel.
