A High Court sitting in Oyigbo, Rivers State, has intervened in the state’s deepening political crisis, issuing an interim injunction that temporarily stops further action on the impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof Ngozi Nma-Odu.
In a ruling delivered in Port Harcourt, the court restrained the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 32 other defendants from taking steps to advance the impeachment proceedings.
Those affected by the order include the Clerk of the House and the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi.
The court specifically barred the Chief Judge from receiving, forwarding, considering or acting on any request, resolution or impeachment-related document from the Assembly for the purpose of constituting an investigative panel.
The order was granted by Justice Florence Fiberesima after hearing motions filed ex parte by Governor Fubara and his deputy.
In the two suits, marked OYHC/7/CS/2026 and OYHC/6/CS/2026, the court also granted permission for the interim order and other originating processes to be served on the first to the 31st defendants by substituted means, through pasting at the gate of the Rivers State Assembly quarters.
The Chief Judge, listed as the 32nd defendant, is to be served through any judicial staff at his chambers within the court premises.
Justice Fiberesima adjourned the matter to January 23, 2026, for hearing of the motion on notice, shifting the impeachment battle from the political arena to the courtroom.
The ruling comes against the backdrop of escalating tension in the oil-rich state. On Friday, the Rivers State House of Assembly formally called on the Chief Judge to set up a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against the governor and his deputy.
The lawmakers, who said the decision was reached unanimously, vowed to press ahead with the impeachment process.
Earlier, Assembly members had addressed journalists in Port Harcourt, accusing Governor Fubara of alleged blackmail and intimidation of the legislature.
Speaking at the briefing, the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol, claimed the governor no longer enjoyed the confidence required to resolve the crisis engulfing the state.
The lawmakers accused the governor of breaching the 1999 Constitution, insisting that impeachment was the only option left to the House in exercising its legislative powers.
They also thanked President Bola Tinubu for intervening in the political standoff and called on Speaker Amaewhule to reconvene plenary.
The impeachment move, initiated weeks ago over allegations of gross negligence against Fubara and his deputy, has sharply heightened political tension in Rivers State.
The injunction is to remain in force for seven days, pending further proceedings.
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