A Rivers State High Court sitting in Oyigbo Local Government Area has ordered an immediate halt to all actions connected with the impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Nma-Odu.
The court issued an interim injunction restraining the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and other principal officers of the House from taking further steps aimed at advancing the impeachment move.
In the ruling delivered in Port Harcourt, the court also barred the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, from receiving, forwarding, considering or acting on any resolution or document from the Assembly relating to the impeachment of the governor and his deputy.
The order specifically prevents the constitution of an investigative panel pending the determination of the matter.
The injunction, which is to last for seven days, was granted by Justice Florence Fiberesima following the hearing of separate motions ex parte filed by Governor Fubara and his deputy.
The suits, marked OYHC/7/CS/2026 and OYHC/6/CS/2026, also granted the claimants permission to serve the interim order and other originating processes on the first to the thirty-first defendants by pasting them at the gate of the Rivers State Assembly quarters.
The court further directed that the Chief Judge, listed as the thirty-second defendant, be served through any judicial staff at his chambers within the court premises.
Justice Fiberesima subsequently adjourned the case to January 23, 2026, for the hearing of the motion on notice, effectively shifting the impeachment battle from the political space to the courtroom.
The ruling followed a resolution by the Rivers State House of Assembly, where lawmakers unanimously called on the Chief Judge to set up a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against the governor and his deputy.
The lawmakers had insisted on continuing with the impeachment process, accusing the governor of gross negligence and alleging intimidation of the legislature.
They also claimed that the action was taken in line with their constitutional responsibilities, while expressing appreciation to Tinubu for intervening in the political crisis rocking the oil-rich state.
