Rivers Chief Judge Refuses to Set Up Panel to Investigate Governor Fubara
The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, has refused to set up a judicial panel to investigate Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu.
He said he cannot take any action because there are existing court orders stopping him from doing so.
The Rivers State House of Assembly had earlier asked the Chief Judge to create a seven-member panel to investigate the governor and his deputy over allegations of gross misconduct.
In a letter dated January 20, 2026, sent to the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, Justice Amadi confirmed that he received the request.
However, he explained that he is legally restrained because a High Court has issued interim injunctions against the impeachment process.
According to the Chief Judge, his office received two court orders on January 16, following separate lawsuits filed by Governor Fubara and his deputy. Both lawsuits challenged the impeachment process, especially how the notices of allegations were served.
Professor Odu went to court to argue that she was not properly served with the impeachment notice. This followed the House of Assembly’s sitting on January 8, when impeachment proceedings were said to have begun. Copies of the allegations later appeared on social media, causing public controversy.
The impeachment process started after the House Leader, Major Jack, read out allegations of gross misconduct against the governor, which were reportedly signed by 26 lawmakers. On January 16, the Assembly passed a resolution asking the Chief Judge to set up an investigative panel.
However, lawyers have criticised the process, saying impeachment notices must be personally served on the accused, unless a court allows another method.
A lawyer, Living Jamala, said failure to properly serve the notices makes the entire process legally flawed.
Later, a High Court in Port Harcourt, led by Justice Florence Fiberesima, issued an order stopping the Chief Judge from receiving or acting on any impeachment request against the governor and his deputy.
The court clearly barred him from considering or acting on any impeachment-related documents from the House of Assembly.
Justice Amadi said the Speaker has since appealed the court’s decision at the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt. He confirmed
