A Rivers State High Court sitting in Oyigbo Local Government Area has issued an interim injunction restraining the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and two other officials, including the Clerk of the House, from sending any correspondence to the Chief Judge of the state in relation to the ongoing impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy.
The order, granted on Friday by Justice F.A. Fiberesima, also restrains the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, from receiving, forwarding, 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 governor and deputy governor for a period of seven days.
Justice Fiberesima issued the ruling while hearing a motion ex parte in two separate suits filed by Governor Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu. The suits are marked OYHC/7CS/2026 and OYHC/6/CS/2026 respectively.
The court further granted leave to the claimants to serve the interim order and originating processes, as well as all subsequent court processes, on the first to the 31st defendants by pasting them at the gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters. It also directed that court processes meant for the 32nd defendant the Chief Judge be served through any judiciary staff at his chambers within the High Court premises.
Justice Fiberesima subsequently adjourned the matter to January 23, 2026, for the hearing of the motion on notice.
Despite the court order, the Rivers State House of Assembly on Friday resolved to press ahead with impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy.
In a related development, four lawmakers who had earlier withdrawn their support for the impeachment move and appealed to their colleagues to abandon the process reversed their decision. The lawmakers accused the governor of being unyielding, describing his stance as adamant.
The impeachment crisis has continued to deepen political tensions in the state, with both the executive and legislative arms holding firmly to their positions amid growing legal and constitutional disputes.