Rivers Chief Judge Cites Legal Constraints in Declining Probe Panel Against Governor
In a significant development within the ongoing political turmoil in Rivers State, Chief Judge Simeon Amadi has formally declined a request from the state House of Assembly to constitute a judicial panel aimed at investigating Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu. The decision, communicated through an official letter, hinges on existing court injunctions that legally restrict the chief judge from proceeding with such actions.
Legal Hurdles Halt Impeachment Proceedings
In his correspondence addressed to Martins Amaewhule, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Chief Judge Amadi explicitly stated that his hands are "fettered" by interim orders issued by the court. These orders, served on January 16, 2026, stem from lawsuits filed by Governor Fubara and Deputy Governor Odu, effectively restraining the chief judge from considering or acting upon any documents related to impeachment proceedings against the state's top executives.
The chief judge emphasized that the doctrine of "lis pendens" applies, meaning all parties must await the outcome of an appeal lodged by Speaker Amaewhule against these interim orders. With notices of appeal served on January 19 and 20, Amadi declared himself "legally disabled" from exercising his constitutional duties under Section 188(5) of the Nigerian Constitution at this juncture.
Intensified Political Crisis in Rivers State
This legal standoff occurs against the backdrop of a renewed and intensified effort by the Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly to impeach Governor Fubara and his deputy. The political crisis, often characterized as a power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike—now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory—has entered a particularly contentious phase.
Despite Governor Fubara's recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2025, which he framed as an alignment with President Bola Tinubu's agenda, political tensions have not subsided. The defection, which also saw several assembly members switch parties, has failed to mend the strained relationships between the governor, the majority of lawmakers who remain aligned with Wike, and his former political mentor.
Chief Judge Urges Respect for Legal Process
In his letter, Chief Judge Amadi appealed to the Rivers State Assembly to be "magnanimous enough to appreciate the legal position of the matter." This call for patience and adherence to judicial processes underscores the complex interplay between political maneuvering and legal frameworks in Nigeria's democratic system.
The situation highlights the ongoing challenges in Rivers State's governance, where legal injunctions and appeals are being leveraged as strategic tools in a high-stakes political confrontation. As the appeal process unfolds, the fate of the impeachment proceedings remains uncertain, leaving the state's political landscape in a state of suspended animation.
