JUST IN: Rivers Chief Judge Declines to Set Up Impeachment Panel Against Governor, Cites Court Orders

The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Chibuzor Simeon Amadi, has declined a request by the Rivers State House of Assembly to constitute a seven-man investigative panel as part of impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu.

Justice Amadi’s decision is contained in a letter dated 20 January 2026 and addressed to the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule. In the letter, the Chief Judge said he was legally restrained from taking the requested action due to existing court orders.

According to the Chief Judge, two separate interim injunctions issued by the High Court on 16 January 2026 expressly barred him, as the 32nd defendant in the suits, from receiving, processing, considering or acting on any request, resolution or communication relating to impeachment proceedings or the appointment of an investigative panel.

The suits referenced are:

* **Suit No: OYHC/6/CS/2026**, filed by Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu against Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule and others; and

* **Suit No: OYHC/7/CS/2026**, filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara against the Speaker and others.

Justice Amadi noted that both interim orders were duly served on his office on the same day they were issued. He stressed that under established principles of constitutionalism and the rule of law, all persons and authorities are bound to obey subsisting court orders until they are set aside by a court of competent jurisdiction.

He further cited judicial authorities affirming that actions taken in defiance of court orders are liable to be nullified.

The Chief Judge also disclosed that the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly has filed an appeal against the interim injunctions at the Court of Appeal. He stated that until the appellate court determines the matter or the orders are vacated, he remains legally constrained from constituting the panel.

The House of Assembly had invoked Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in seeking the appointment of a seven-man panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against the governor and his deputy. Justice Amadi maintained that compliance with the court orders takes precedence.