Rivers Chief Judge Declines Request to Probe Governor Fubara

The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon C. Amadi, has declined a request by the Rivers State House of Assembly to constitute a seven-man panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Nma-Odu. He cited subsisting court orders and a pending appeal as reasons for his decision.

Justice Amadi conveyed his position in a letter to the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, acknowledging receipt of requests dated January 16, 2026, made under Sections 188(4) and 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. He said he was legally constrained by the doctrine of lis pendens, which requires parties to maintain the status quo while an appeal is before a higher court.

The Chief Judge disclosed that his office had been served with interim injunctions issued by the Rivers State High Court sitting in Oyigbo on the same day. The suits were filed separately by Governor Fubara and his deputy, naming the Speaker and others as defendants, and expressly restraining the Chief Judge from acting on any impeachment-related request for seven days.

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Justice Amadi also noted that the House of Assembly has appealed the interim orders at the Court of Appeal. He stressed that all authorities are bound to obey valid court orders until they are set aside.