By Charles Maduka
A Rivers State High Court sitting in Oyigbo has issued an interim order stopping moves by the Rivers State House of Assembly to advance impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
The court restrained the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, the Clerk of the Assembly and other parties from sending any letter, resolution or impeachment-related document to the Chief Judge of the state. It also barred the Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, from receiving or acting on any such communication aimed at setting up a panel to investigate the governor and his deputy within a seven-day period.
In a ruling delivered by Justice F.A. Fiberesima on motions filed separately by the governor and his deputy, the court granted permission for the interim order and all court processes to be served on the defendants at the gate of the Rivers State Assembly quarters. The judge further directed that court papers meant for the Chief Judge be served through any judicial staff at his chambers within the High Court premises.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter to allow for the hearing of the substantive motion brought by the claimants.
Despite the court order, the Rivers State House of Assembly resolved to continue with the impeachment process. Lawmakers also confirmed that four members who had earlier withdrawn their support for the move later reversed their position, accusing the governor of refusing to embrace dialogue to resolve the political crisis.
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