Rivers: Despite court order, assembly says chief judge has acknowledged receipt of Fubara’s impeachment notice

Fubara

The Rivers house of assembly says Simeon Amadi, chief judge of the state, has acknowledged receipt of the impeachment notice against Siminalayi Fubara, the governor, and Ngozi Odu, his deputy.

Last week, the state parliament commenced impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy.

The lawmakers launched the process after Major Jack, leader of the assembly, read gross misconduct charges against Fubara, signed by 26 members of the house. On Friday, the lawmakers voted in favour of a motion requesting the chief judge to probe the gross misconduct allegations against Fubara and his deputy.

The allegations include budgetary impropriety, failure to present the 2026 appropriation bill to the assembly, unauthorised expenditure of public funds, withholding of statutory allocations to the legislature, and other acts deemed to constitute gross misconduct.

Subsequently, a high court in Port Harcourt issued an interim order restraining the state’s chief judge from receiving or acting on any impeachment notice against Fubara and Odu.

Florence Fiberesima, presiding judge of the high court, following two separate suits filed by Fubara and his deputy, marked OYHC/7/CS/2026 and OYHC/6/CS/2026.

Fiberesima barred the chief judge from receiving, forwarding, considering, or acting on any request, resolution, or articles of impeachment submitted by members of the Rivers state house of assembly. Thecable