Rivers: Court Halts Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara, Odu

* Restrains CJ from acting on lawmakers’ notice

*Assembly members adamant, insists on ousting Fubara, deputy, say governor incorrigible

*Four lawmakers backtrack

*Process will not succeed, says Fubara’s aide

Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Amid rising political tension, a Rivers State High Court sitting in Oyigbo yesterday ordered the Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, the Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly, and its clerk to temporarily halt all actions on the impeachment move against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, pending the determination of the suit before it.This is as the State Assembly insisted on going ahead with the impeachment and had written to Justice Amadi to empanel a seven-member body to oversee the allegations preparatory to impeaching Fubara.

Also in a new twist, the four Lawmakers that had opted out of the impeachment and rather pleaded with their colleagues for an amicable settlement of the issues have made a U-turn and rejoined their colleagues in the move to remove the governor and his deputy.But the Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Darlington Orji, yesterday, dismissed the impeachment moves, insisting the process lacks merit and would not succeed.

Members of the State House of Assembly had accused Fubara and Odu of gross misconduct, including misappropriation of public funds, obstructing the Rivers State House Assembly from performing her duties, among others. The Speaker in adopting the motion sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol, and Silvanus Nwankwo, had mandated an investigation into the governor’s financial and administrative actions. He had further directed the transmission of the notice of the allegations to Fubara and Odu.

However, the court order yesterday, restrained Justice Amadi from “receiving, forwarding, considering and or however acting on any request, resolution, articles of impeachment or other document or communication from one to 27 defendants for the purposes of constituting a panel to investigate the purported allegations of misconduct against the governor and his deputy for seven days.”Justice Fiberesima, in a ruling on a motion ex parte in two separate suits by Fubara and  Odu also granted leave to claimants applicants for substituted  service  of the interim order, the originating processes in the suits and all other subsequent processes meant for first to thirty one defendants at the gate of the Rivers State Assembly quarter.

The court also directed that the interim order, the originating processes in the suits be served on the number 32 dependent, who is the Chief Judge of the State through any staff of Judiciary at the Chief Judge’s Chambers within the High Court premises.Justice Fiberesima however, adjourned the case to January 23, 2026 for hearing of motions on the case.

Lawmakers write Chief Judge to Set Up Panel

Meanwhile, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have asked the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Amadi, to set up a 7-man panel to investigate the allegations of grass misconduct against Fubara and Odu.They insisted that there is no going back in the impeachment process. In a letter addressed to the Chief Judge and signed by Amaewhule, which was read during a plenary yesterday, the lawmakers noted that the action was in compliance with section 188(4) of the Constitution that the allegations be investigated.

“I write to request that you (CJ) appoint a panel of seven persons to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct against His Excellency, Sir Siminalaye Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State pursuant to section 188(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).“At the 60th Legislative day of the Third Session of the 10th Assembly, the House resolved in compliance with section 188(4) of the Constitution that these allegations be investigated.

“In this regard, the acknowledged copy of the forwarding letter of the Notice of Allegations of Gross Misconduct; the acknowledged copy of the Notice of Allegations of Gross Misconduct; copies of the Rivers State Impeachment Panel (Conduct of Investigations) Procedure, 2025; photocopies of newspaper publications of Guardian, Saturday Sun, Nation and other relevant documents are hereby attached for the use of the Panel”, Amaewule added.Earlier, during a press briefing, members of the Assembly reaffirmed their resolve to continue with the impeachment process, stressing that it remains the most viable constitutional option to resolve the lingering political impasse in the state.

Four Lawmakers Who Opted Out Backtrack

A few days ago, four members of the House rescinded their positions on the impeachment process against Fubara and Odu, and had appealed to their colleagues to withdraw the process.The Minority Leader, Sylvanus Nwankwo, representing Omuma State Constituency, and Peter Abbey of Degema State Constituency, had kicked against the process, while Barile Nwakoh, who represents Khana Constituency I, and Emilia Amadi of Obio/Akpor Constituency II (Wike’s LGA), on Wednesday publicly called for caution and dialogue, insisting that pursuing impeachment could further heighten political tension in the state and distract from governance and legislative responsibilities.

But during yesterday’s press briefing, the four lawmakers announced their support for the continuation of the impeachment process, aligning themselves with the broader position of the other 23 lawmakers of the Assembly.Addressing the press, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Dumle Maol, who read from a written statement, noted the collective agreement among them to pursue the impeachment process. Describing the governor as “incorrigible”, Maol maintained that the impeachment of both the governor and his deputy was unavoidable.

They appealed to leaders at all levels and the people of Rivers State to critically assess the situation and understand that impeachment was the appropriate constitutional step. “The impeachment of the incorrigible governor and his deputy. We therefore strongly appeal to all leaders at all levels and the good people of Rivers State to carefully consider the problem at hand and understand that the impeachment process is the best way to go at this point,” he stated.

The legislators further called on the Speaker of the House to allow the constitutional process to proceed without obstruction, urging him to reconvene the House to enable members to carry out their constitutional responsibilities.The lawmakers also expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, commending him for what they described as his efforts and concern for Rivers State in seeking a resolution to the political crisis.

They further thanked leaders, stakeholders and residents of the state for their prayers and support, assuring them of their commitment to defending both the people and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Finally, we thank our dear President, Bola Tinubu, who has demonstrated so much love for Rivers State. He did his best for the resolution of this impasse but the governor and his Deputy are adamant,” the statement said

Impeachment Process Will Not Succeed, Says Fubara’s Aide

Darlington Orji, Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State governor, dismissed the impeachment moves against Fubara and his deputy, insisting the process lacks merit and would not succeed.

Speaking on ARISE News yesterday, Orji said claims that impeachment proceedings had been formally served on the governor were untrue.

“I can confirm to you up until this minute, he has not received any proceedings from the Assembly,” he said.

Orji argued that there was no basis for the impeachment process, stressing that allegations of misconduct were unsupported.

“The truth of the matter is that there is no cause for even initiating the impeachment process,” he said.

He added that public sentiment in Rivers State did not support the move, insisting lawmakers would eventually abandon it.

“I’m very sure, I’m convinced that they will drop the process, because there is no need for it. That is not what Rivers State wants for now,” Orji said.

Addressing suggestions that the governor was reacting late or had failed to anticipate the crisis, Orji rejected the claim, describing Fubara as calm and restrained.

“No, the governor is not waking up. This is a man that does not want to join issues with people. He’s very calm, he’s very humble,” he said.

On claims that the governor travelled to avoid being served impeachment notices, Orji said the assembly reconvened unexpectedly.

“The governor did not run away. The governor is not afraid of service, because there is no cockroach in his cupboard. He has nothing to hide,” he said, adding, “The governor is in Port Harcourt now.”

Orji also addressed allegations of illegal appointments without legislative screening, insisting no such breach occurred.

“The governor has not made any appointment that requires screening,” he said.

He explained that following a Supreme Court judgment recognising Martin Amaewhule as the authentic Speaker, the governor retained only officials previously screened by that assembly leadership.

“The governor dropped them, leaving the eight persons that were screened by Martin Amaewhule,” Orji said.

On special advisers, he maintained that screening was not required.

“The only five appointments that were made are members of special advisers, which Martin Amaewhule has already given clearance to,” he said, adding, “They are never screened.”

Orji also addressed financial disputes linked to demands for a supplementary budget, saying the governor did not require additional funds.

“The governor himself said that when he came back on board, that he has about 600 billion naira in the coffers of Rivers State Government,” he said.

He said the governor rejected calls for a supplementary budget late in the fiscal year.

“The governor said, I don’t have a need for a supplementary budget,” Orji stated.

Responding to claims lawmakers were denied funds, Orji alleged they had already received constituency allocations.

“The N350 million that was given to each of them for their constituency project, where did it come from?” he asked. He further alleged lawmakers received vehicles.

“It’s Range Rover 2025,” Orji said, adding, “I can make the record available to you.”