Fubara’s Impeachment Suit Put On Hold As Rivers Court Adjourns Indefinitely

A High Court sitting in Oyigbo, Rivers State, has adjourned indefinitely the impeachment case involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.

The case, which was filed by the governor and his deputy, challenged the impeachment process started by the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Justice Florence Fiberesima adjourned the matter after the court was informed that two appeals related to the case are currently before the Court of Appeal.

She explained that proceedings at the High Court would remain suspended until the appellate court rules on the appeals.

During the resumed hearing, the lawyer representing the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 27 lawmakers, S.I. Amen (SAN), told the court about the pending appeals and asked for the case to be paused.

The request was not opposed by the lawyers representing the governor and deputy, Paul Orikoro (SAN), or by Lawrence Oko-Jaja (SAN), who appeared for the other defendants in the suit.

Following this, Justice Fiberesima adjourned the case without fixing a new date, pending the outcome of the appeals.

This development follows an earlier interim order by the same court, which stopped the Speaker, several lawmakers, the Clerk of the House, and the state’s Chief Judge from taking any further steps in the impeachment process.

The court had specifically barred the submission or consideration of impeachment notices or any documents meant to set up a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against the governor and his deputy.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon C. Amadi, also refused a request by the House of Assembly to set up a seven-member investigative panel to probe allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Nma-Odu.