Court Halts Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara Impeachment Suit Indefinitely

Justice Florence Fiberesima of the Oyigbo High Court in Rivers State has indefinitely suspended hearing in the suit instituted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma-Odu, over the impeachment move against them.

The suit challenges the impeachment process initiated by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, alongside 26 other lawmakers and the Clerk of the House.

When the case was mentioned in court on Wednesday, counsel to Amaewhule and the 27 members of the Assembly, S. I. Ameh (SAN), informed the court that an appeal had already been filed.

He therefore urged the court, through an oral application, to halt further proceedings pending the outcome of the appeal.

The request was not contested by counsel to the claimants, Paul O. Orikoro (SAN).

It was also unopposed by Lawrence Oko-Jaja (SAN), who appeared for the 28th to 30th defendants, Oko Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy, and Orubienimigha Timothy.

In her ruling, Justice Fiberesima adjourned the matter sine die, explaining that two separate appeals had been properly filed and that it was appropriate for the appellate court to first resolve the issues raised.

It will be recalled that the court had earlier granted an interim injunction stopping the Speaker, 32 others, including the Clerk of the House and the Chief Judge of Rivers State, from taking further steps in the impeachment process.

The order specifically restrained the Speaker and 27 lawmakers from submitting any impeachment notice or related documents to the Chief Judge for the constitution of a panel to probe allegations of gross misconduct.