A High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has issued an order stopping the Chief Judge of the state from receiving or acting on any impeachment notice against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
The court’s decision came after members of the Rivers State House of Assembly moved to begin the impeachment process. On Friday, the lawmakers formally wrote to the Chief Judge, asking her to set up a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct made against the governor and his deputy.
The lawmakers said their decision was reached through a unanimous vote during their sitting. They also stated that they were determined to go ahead with the impeachment process, despite growing political tension in the state.
However, the High Court stepped in and issued an order restraining the Chief Judge from taking any action on the impeachment request. As a result, the impeachment process has been temporarily stopped.
The court explained that the order will remain in force until further legal proceedings are completed and a final decision is made on the matter.
This latest development has added a legal dimension to the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, as both sides now await the outcome of the court’s ruling.
