The Africa Centre for Democracy and Leadership (ACDL) has issued a strong warning to the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, urging him to safeguard the independence of the judiciary. This call comes amidst escalating moves by the Rivers State House of Assembly to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.
Impeachment Process Intensifies Amidst Political Rift
The impeachment push, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, gained momentum after four lawmakers who initially advocated for dialogue reversed their stance. They cited alleged media attacks from the governor's camp as their reason for rejoining the process. The Assembly has now formally escalated the situation by resolving to send a request to the Chief Judge. This request is for the constitution of a seven-member investigative panel, confirming that impeachment notices have been served as required by the constitution.
In a statement released on 15 January 2026, the ACDL's Executive Director, Barrister Nedu Ekwueme, expressed deep concern. He warned that the judiciary must not be dragged into the partisan politics stemming from the prolonged conflict between the executive and legislative factions.
A Call for Caution and Due Process
Ekwueme stressed that Justice Chibuzor-Amadi must exercise extreme caution in appointing the investigative panel. He emphasized that the process must remain free from any external influence or political pressure. "The judiciary must remain the last bastion of hope for justice and fairness in our democracy," Ekwueme stated.
He further cautioned the Chief Judge against being manipulated by lawmakers whose actions seem motivated by vendetta rather than constitutional duty. The ACDL views the entire process as bearing the hallmarks of political persecution rather than a genuine constitutional exercise. "This impeachment process has all the hallmarks of a political witch-hunt," Ekwueme declared.
Learning from Past Constitutional Crises
The group drew attention to Nigeria's history of flawed impeachment processes, where courts had to intervene. They cited specific examples where hasty judicial panels worsened crises instead of resolving them:
- The impeachment of Governor Rashidi Ladoja of Oyo State.
- The impeachment of Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State.
- The impeachment of Governor Joshua Dariye of Plateau State.
In all these cases, the impeachments were eventually nullified by the courts due to violations of due process. Ekwueme stressed that Rivers State should not be plunged into avoidable instability and that the Chief Judge must prioritize due process over political expediency.
"Rivers State cannot afford another round of needless turmoil; the Chief Judge should prioritise due process over expediency," he added. The ACDL underscored the need for strict compliance with all constitutional provisions, including thorough investigation and timely reporting by any constituted panel.
The group concluded by calling on the Nigerian Bar Association, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to monitor the process closely. Their goal is to ensure the protection of judicial independence and prevent the judiciary from becoming a pawn in a high-stakes political game, which would ultimately harm the state's progress.
