A Rivers State High Court sitting in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Port Harcourt on Friday granted an interim injunction barring the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and two others, including the Clerk of the House, from sending any correspondence to the Chief Judge of the state.
The court also restrained the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, from receiving, transmitting, considering, or acting on any request, resolution, articles of impeachment, or related documents from the first to the 27th defendants for the purpose of constituting a panel to investigate the alleged misconduct of the state governor and his deputy for a period of seven days.
In a ruling on a motion ex parte in two separate suits filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, the presiding judge, Justice F.A. Fiberesima, granted leave for the claimants to serve the interim order and originating processes in Suit Nos. OYHC/7CS/2026 and OYHC/6/CS/2026, as well as all subsequent processes intended for the first to the 31st defendants, at the gate of the Rivers State Assembly quarters.
The court further directed that the interim order and originating processes be served on the 32nd defendant, the Chief Judge of the state, through any staff member of the judiciary at the Chief Judge’s chambers within the High Court premises.
Justice Fiberesima thereafter adjourned the case to January 23, 2026 for hearing of the motion.
The Rivers State House of Assembly had on Friday resolved to continue with the impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy.
The latest court order sets the stage for a fresh legal showdown between the executive and the legislature in Rivers State, as all parties await the court’s determination on the substantive issues. Developments in the impeachment process are expected to hinge on the outcome of the January 23 hearing, which will clarify the next line of action in the escalating political crisis.
