Fubara impeachment plot stalled after Chief Judge declines to act, citing binding court orders restraining probe of Governor Fubara

The move by the Rivers State House of Assembly to remove Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, has suffered a decisive setback following the refusal of the Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, to constitute a judicial panel to investigate the allegations against them.

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In a letter dated January 20, 2026, and addressed to the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, Justice Amadi said he was legally restrained from taking any step that could advance the impeachment process.

The development has effectively confirmed that the Rivers impeachment plot stalled due to subsisting court orders.

The impeachment process was initiated on January 8, when lawmakers began proceedings after Major Jack, leader of the Assembly, read allegations of gross misconduct against the governor.

The charges, endorsed by 26 legislators, included budgetary impropriety, failure to present the 2026 appropriation bill, unauthorised spending of public funds and the alleged withholding of statutory allocations due to the legislature.

On January 16, the House adopted a motion asking the Chief Judge to set up a seven member panel to probe the allegations against Fubara and Odu.

However, on the same day, a High Court sitting in Port Harcourt issued an interim order barring the Chief Judge from receiving or acting on any impeachment related request.

The presiding judge, Justice Florence Fiberesima, expressly restrained Justice Amadi from receiving, forwarding, considering or acting on any notice, resolution or document connected to impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy.

As a result, the Rivers impeachment plot stalled before the constitutionally required investigative stage.

In his letter to the Speaker, Justice Amadi disclosed that his office had been served with two interim injunctions arising from separate suits filed by Fubara and Odu.

He noted that the orders clearly barred him from exercising his powers under Section 188 subsection 5 of the 1999 Constitution.

He further explained that the Assembly had already appealed the interim orders at the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, adding that the notices of appeal were served on his office on January 19 and 20.

Invoking the doctrine of lis pendens, the Chief Judge said all parties were required to await the outcome of the appeal.

Justice Amadi stressed that his hands were fettered by law and urged the Assembly to appreciate the legal position, stating that he was disabled from acting until the restraining orders were vacated.

Legal analysts say the decision leaves no room for discretion, as the Chief Judge was specifically named in the court order.

According to them, the Rivers impeachment plot stalled because disobeying the injunction would amount to a clear violation of the rule of law.

They noted that while the pro impeachment lawmakers may continue to pursue relief at the appellate court, the existing order remains binding.

Until it is set aside, the impeachment process cannot legally proceed.

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The development has deepened the intense political struggle in Rivers State, marking a major blow to the impeachment drive and reinforcing the growing tension between the executive and the legislature.