The Rivers State House of Assembly has raised the alarm over what it described as an alleged plot to obtain a court order aimed at stopping the legislature from carrying out its constitutional duties, amid ongoing impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
The allegation was contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Port Harcourt by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Dr Enemi George.
He said the Assembly had received information that some persons were planning to procure an ex parte order from a Rivers State High Court sitting outside Port Harcourt to halt the impeachment process.
Recall that the lawmakers last Thursday commenced impeachment proceedings against Fubara and his deputy over alleged gross misconduct.
Reacting to the alleged move, the Assembly described it as illegal and unconstitutional, insisting that any attempt to stop the impeachment process through the courts would amount to a subversion of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.
George said such actions contravene Sections 272(3) and 188(10) of the Constitution, as well as established judicial precedents, particularly decisions of the Court of Appeal on similar matters.
He stated, “The Rivers State House of Assembly has received information of plots by certain persons to utilise some Rivers State High Courts, especially those outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division, to issue ex parte orders to illegally stop the Rivers State House of Assembly from performing its constitutional duties.
“These persons are fully aware of the provisions of Section 272(3) of the Constitution, which states that, subject to the provisions of Section 251 and other provisions of the Constitution, the Federal High Court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine the question as to whether the term of office of a member of a House of Assembly of a state, governor or deputy governor has ceased or become vacant.”
He added that Section 188(10) of the Constitution clearly provides that no proceedings or determination of an impeachment panel or of the House of Assembly, or any matter relating to such proceedings, shall be entertained or questioned in any court.
According to him, those allegedly behind the plot were also aware of recent judicial pronouncements by the Court of Appeal, which faulted similar ex parte orders issued by a Rivers State High Court in violation of constitutional provisions.
George urged the affected office holders to respond to the notice of allegations already served on them, rather than resorting to what he described as “subterranean moves” to frustrate the process.
“All that is required is for the office holders who have been duly served with the notice of allegations of gross misconduct to respond to them item by item, instead of deploying efforts to subvert the law or use proxies to malign members of the Rivers State House of Assembly in the media,” he said.
The Assembly also called on those allegedly involved in the move to exercise restraint and desist from actions inimical to the Constitution and the rule of law, stressing its commitment to due process.
Meanwhile, Fubara, who recently returned to the country after being away, was seen on Sunday attending the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day service at St Cyprian’s Church in Port Harcourt, alongside his deputy.
