Court Adjourns Fubara’s Impeachment Case Indefinitely

A High Court of Rivers State sitting in Oyigbo has adjourned indefinitely the suit challenging the impeachment proceedings initiated against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma-Odu.

The case, under trial Justice Florence Fiberesima of the Oyigbo Judicial Division, was adjourned sine die on Thursday following confirmation that two separate appeals arising from the matter have been duly entered before the Court of Appeal.

Justice Fiberesima ruled that the adjournment would allow the appellate court to first determine the appeals, stressing that it would be inappropriate for the trial court to continue proceedings while the issues are already before a higher court.

Governor Fubara and his deputy had approached the court to challenge the impeachment processes initiated by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, alongside 26 other lawmakers and the Clerk of the House.

The suit seeks to stop the respondents from taking further steps to impeach the governor and his deputy over allegations of gross misconduct.

Recall that the same court had earlier granted an interim order restraining the Speaker, 32 other defendants including the Clerk of the House and the Chief Judge of Rivers State from forwarding articles of impeachment or any related documents to the Chief Judge for the purpose of constituting an impeachment panel.

Justice Fiberesima had also barred the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, from receiving, considering, or acting on any request, resolution, articles of impeachment, or other communication from the lawmakers aimed at setting up a panel to investigate the allegations against the governor and his deputy.

The interim injunction was granted for a period of seven days, pending the hearing of the substantive motion.

The legal battle is the latest twist in the prolonged political crisis rocking Rivers State, which has pitted the executive arm of government against a faction of the State House of Assembly.

Observers say the outcome of the appeals before the Court of Appeal may significantly shape the next phase of the crisis.