Respect court order, Rivers APC tells Chief Judge

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Simeon Amadi, to comply with a court order restraining him from taking any action on impeachment proceedings initiated by the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The party’s position was conveyed in a statement issued on Saturday in Port Harcourt by its State Publicity Secretary, Darlington Nwauju.

The call followed a directive by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, who on Friday asked the Chief Judge to constitute a seven-member panel to investigate allegations of misconduct against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu. The directive was based on a resolution of the Assembly to proceed with impeachment, citing what lawmakers described as the governor’s disregard for the House.

However, a Rivers State High Court sitting in Oyibo Local Government Area had earlier on Friday issued an interim injunction stopping the Speaker, the Clerk of the House and other officials from sending any correspondence to the Chief Judge on the matter.

In the same ruling, Justice F. A. Fiberesima restrained Justice Amadi from receiving, considering or acting on any request, resolution or document related to the impeachment of the governor and his deputy for a period of seven days. The court adjourned the case to January 23, 2026, for hearing of the motion on notice.

Reacting to the development, Nwauju, who said he was speaking with the backing of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, expressed concern that lawmakers, many of whom belong to the APC, were pushing ahead with the process despite the court order.

He described the move as damaging to the party’s interests in the state and warned that it could have long-term consequences for the APC.

While acknowledging that the legislature has constitutional powers to conduct impeachment under Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Nwauju argued that what constitutes “gross misconduct” remains open to interpretation and largely subject to public scrutiny.

He called on the national leadership of the APC to intervene and use internal party mechanisms to address the situation and prevent what he described as potential embarrassment for the ruling party.

The APC spokesman also urged the Chief Judge to strictly observe the interim injunction in Suit No: OYHC/7/CS/2026 by refraining from any action related to the Assembly’s resolutions pending further court proceedings.