By Dennis Okechukwu
An Oyigbo High Court in Rivers State has adjourned indefinitely the suit filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, challenging the impeachment process initiated against them by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Justice Florence Fiberesima took the decision after being informed that two separate appeals had been filed in respect of the matter. The court held that the adjournment would allow the Court of Appeal to first determine the issues arising from the case.
At the resumed hearing, counsel to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 27 lawmakers, S.I. Amen (SAN), informed the court of the pending appeals and applied orally for a stay of proceedings.
The application was not opposed by counsel to the claimants, Paul Orikoro (SAN), nor by Lawrence Oko-Jaja (SAN), who represents other defendants in the suit.
Justice Fiberesima subsequently adjourned the matter sine die, pending the outcome of the appeals.
The development follows an earlier interim injunction granted by the same court, which restrained the Speaker, some lawmakers, the Clerk of the House, and the Chief Judge of Rivers State from taking further steps toward the impeachment of the governor and his deputy.
The injunction barred the forwarding, consideration, or action on impeachment notices or related documents aimed at constituting an investigative panel over allegations of gross misconduct.
Meanwhile, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon C. Amadi, has declined the request of the Rivers State House of Assembly to constitute a seven-man investigative panel to probe the allegations against Governor Fubara and his deputy.
In a letter addressed to the Speaker, Justice Amadi cited subsisting court orders and a pending appeal as reasons for his decision, invoking the doctrine of lis pendens, which requires parties to await the outcome of ongoing litigation.
He stated that his office had been served with interim injunctions issued by the High Court in Oyigbo on January 16, 2026, restraining him from acting on any impeachment-related request from the Assembly.
Justice Amadi said the existence of the court orders and the pending appeal legally prevented him from exercising his constitutional duties under Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) at this time.