NIGERIA: Rivers Chief Judge Declines Assembly Request To Set Up Panel To Probe Governor Fubara and Deputy

By Onoja Baba, Abuja, Nigeria

The Chief Judge of Rivers State Justice Simeon Amadi has declined a request by the Rivers State House of Assembly to constitute a seven-member panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy Professor Ngozi Odu.

In a letter dated January 20 2026 personally signed by Justice Amadi and addressed to the Speaker of the House Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule the chief judge acknowledged receipt of the assembly’s resolution and letters dated January 16 2026 requesting the panel under Section 188 subsection 5 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Justice Amadi however stated that he is legally restrained from acting due to subsisting interim court orders of injunction served on his office on January 16 2026 from two separate suits. The orders expressly bar him from receiving forwarding considering or acting on any request resolution articles of impeachment or related documents from the assembly for the purpose of setting up such a panel.

He further noted that the speaker Martin Amaewhule has lodged an appeal against one of the interim orders at the Court of Appeal Port Harcourt Division and that notices of the appeal have been served on him.

In view of these ongoing court processes and the subsisting injunctions, the chief judge said his hands are fettered making him legally disabled from exercising his constitutional duties in this matter at this time.

The decision comes amid heightened political tensions in Rivers State where the house has initiated impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy citing gross misconduct.

A state high court in Port Harcourt had earlier issued interim injunctions halting aspects of the process including restraining the chief judge from proceeding with any panel formation pending the determination of related suits.

This development represents a significant setback to the assembly’s impeachment efforts as the constitution requires the chief judge to appoint the investigative panel upon receipt of valid allegations.

The assembly has not yet issued a public response to the chief judge’s letter but sources indicate the matter may escalate to higher courts.

The Rivers political crisis has been ongoing involving disputes between the governor and factions in the assembly loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike with multiple court interventions shaping the trajectory of the impeachment bid.