By Ayo Kehinde
A Rivers State High Court has adjourned indefinitely the suit filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, challenging the impeachment processes initiated against them by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Justice Florence Fiberesima took the decision after counsel to the Speaker of the Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 27 others, S.I. Amen, SAN, informed the court that an appeal, marked CA/PH/31/2026, had been entered at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, and applied orally that further proceedings at the trial court be halted pending the determination of the appeal.
Lead counsel to the claimants, Paul Orikoro, SAN, and Lawrence Oko-Jaja, who also represent the 28th to 30th defendants — Victor Oko Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy and Orubuenimigha Timothy, did not oppose the application.
Ruling on the application, Justice Fiberesima adjourned the matter sine die, stating that the existence of two separate appeals necessitated that the appellate court first determine the issues before it.
On January 16, 2026, the court granted an ex parte order restraining the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, from receiving, considering or acting on any request, resolution or articles of impeachment from the Speaker and 27 lawmakers seeking to constitute a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against the governor and his deputy.
The court had also restrained the lawmakers from forwarding any such documents to the Chief Judge for the purpose of setting up an impeachment panel within the seven-day lifespan of the interim order.
