The political turmoil in Rivers State took another dramatic turn on Friday, as the Oyigbo High Court, located in Port Harcourt, adjourned indefinitely the suit brought by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma-Odu, contesting the impeachment efforts initiated against them by the State House of Assembly.
Presided over by Justice Florence Fiberesima, the court postponed the matter sine die after confirming that two separate appeals had already been filed concerning the case.
According to the judge, this adjournment was essential to allow the Court of Appeal to first resolve the pending appeals before the lower court could proceed with any further actions regarding the substantive suit.
Governor Fubara and his deputy had approached the court to contest what they characterized as unconstitutional and politically motivated impeachment proceedings spearheaded by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, along with 26 other lawmakers loyal to him, and the Clerk of the House.
During her ruling on the application before her, Justice Fiberesima stated that once an appeal is properly filed, the trial court must exercise caution to avoid any actions that could conflict with the jurisdiction of the appellate court.
She emphasized that continuing with the case amidst the pending appeals could result in judicial impropriety.
This adjournment effectively pauses the impeachment litigation, further extending the tense standoff between the executive branch of government and the faction of the legislature loyal to the former governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Previously, the same Oyigbo High Court had issued an interim order of injunction restraining the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 32 other individuals—including the Clerk of the House and the Chief Judge of Rivers State—from progressing with the impeachment process.
In that ruling, the court specifically prohibited the Speaker and lawmakers from forwarding any articles of impeachment, resolutions, or other communications to the Chief Judge of the state with the intent of establishing a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara and his deputy.
Furthermore, the interim order restrained the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, from receiving, considering, or acting on any request, resolution, articles of impeachment, or related communications from the first to the 27th defendants.
The court determined that such actions must not be undertaken for a period of seven days, pending further hearings.
