The Rivers State High Court on Thursday, January 23, 2026, delivered a decisive ruling that has effectively halted the impeachment move against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, after refusing to vacate interim orders restraining the Rivers State House of Assembly from taking further steps in the process.
Presiding judge, Justice Florence Fiberesima, maintained the subsisting injunctions in suits OYHC/6/CS/2026 and OYHC/7/CS/2026, thereby preventing the Assembly from transmitting additional impeachment notices and barring any action capable of advancing the probe against the Governor.
The court’s decision represents the most recent and immediate legal obstacle to the impeachment effort, keeping all impeachment-related actions in abeyance pending the determination of the substantive suit or any appeal.
Flowing directly from the court’s ruling, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, formally declined a request by the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the House of Assembly to constitute a seven-member investigative panel as required under Section 188 of the Constitution.
In a written response to the Assembly, the Chief Judge stated that he was “legally disabled” from acting in view of the subsisting court orders, stressing that compliance with judicial directives is mandatory. Without the panel, the impeachment process cannot proceed.
Justice Amadi cited judicial precedents, including a 2007 impeachment case in Kwara State, to underscore that any step taken in defiance of a court order would amount to a violation of the rule of law.
“Constitutionalism and the rule of law are the bedrock of our democracy. I am legally disabled at this point from exercising my duties under Section 188(5) of the Constitution,” the Chief Judge said.
Legal observers note that the combined effect of the High Court’s ruling and the Chief Judge’s refusal has left the Assembly faction without a constitutional route to continue the impeachment, unless the orders are overturned on appeal.
As of Thursday, Governor Siminalayi Fubara continues to exercise the full powers of his office, while the Assembly faction is expected to approach the Court of Appeal in an attempt to challenge the High Court’s decision.
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Me: As the court pleases.