A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has issued an interim order restraining the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, from receiving, considering, or acting on any correspondence from the Rivers State House of Assembly related to ongoing impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu.

The order followed two separate suits filed by Governor Fubara and his deputy, marked Suit No. OYHC/7/CS/2026 and Suit No. OYHC/6/CS/2026, in which they challenged actions already taken by the House of Assembly toward their impeachment.

Delivering the ruling, Justice F. A. Fiberesima granted an interim injunction restraining the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr. Martin Amaewhule, and 32 other defendants—including the Clerk of the House and the Chief Judge—from taking any further steps related to the impeachment process.

Specifically, Justice Amadi, listed as the 32nd defendant, is prohibited from receiving, forwarding, or acting on any requests, resolutions, notices, or articles of impeachment from the 1st to 27th and 31st defendants. The restriction applies to any attempt to establish a panel to investigate alleged misconduct by the governor and his deputy. The injunction is effective for seven days.

The court also allowed the claimants to serve the interim orders and other court documents on the defendants by substituted means. Service for the 1st to 31st defendants will be effected by posting court processes at the gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters, while the Chief Judge will be served through any staff member of the Rivers State Judiciary at the High Court premises.

Justice Fiberesima adjourned the matter to January 23, 2026, for the hearing of the motion on notice.

The orders state:

“An interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the 32nd Defendant, the Honourable Chief Judge of Rivers State, from receiving, forwarding, considering, and/or acting on any request, resolution, articles of impeachment, or other documents from the 1st, 27th, and 31st defendants for the purpose of constituting a panel to investigate the purported allegations of misconduct against the Claimant/Applicant for seven days.”

“Leave is granted to the Claimant/Applicant to serve this interim order and all related processes on the 1st to 31st defendants by pasting them at the gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters, opposite the former NDDC Headquarters, Aba Road, Port Harcourt, and to serve the 32nd Defendant through any staff member of the Rivers State Judiciary at the Chief Judge’s Chambers, High Court.”