Rivers Chief Judge Refuses Assembly’s Request to Probe Fubara Over Court Orders

The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, has turned down a request by the State House of Assembly to set up a judicial panel to investigate Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, over alleged misconduct. He said existing court orders prevent him from taking any step related to the impeachment process, despite the Assembly’s resolution asking him to constitute a seven-member panel.

In a letter to the Speaker, Justice Amadi explained that his office had been served with two interim court injunctions after the governor and his deputy filed separate lawsuits. The orders, he said, clearly stop him from acting on any impeachment-related request. He added that the Speaker has already appealed the court rulings, and until the appeal is decided, he is legally unable to act. The Chief Judge urged lawmakers to understand the legal restrictions surrounding the matter.

Written by Adeyemi Adewale