The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, has declined a request by the State House of Assembly to constitute a judicial panel to investigate Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, citing an existing court order.
The Rivers State House of Assembly had formally asked the chief judge to set up a seven-member judicial panel to probe allegations of gross misconduct leveled against the governor and his deputy, a move that further deepened the political tension in the oil-rich state.
However, Justice Amadi, in his response to the lawmakers, stated that he was constrained by a subsisting court order which bars him from taking any step that could be seen as advancing the impeachment process against the governor. He maintained that as the head of the judiciary in the state, he is duty-bound to uphold the rule of law and respect judicial decisions, regardless of political pressure.
The refusal marks a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the executive and legislative arms of government in Rivers State, where relations have deteriorated sharply in recent months. The House of Assembly, which has been at loggerheads with Governor Fubara, had argued that the constitution empowers it to initiate impeachment proceedings and request the chief judge to constitute a panel when allegations of gross misconduct arise.
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Political observers say the chief judge’s decision effectively stalls the impeachment process for now, pending further legal clarification or the lifting of the court order. It also underscores the growing role of the judiciary in mediating the deepening political crisis in Rivers State.
Governor Fubara has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has accused his opponents of attempting to destabilize his administration through unconstitutional means. His deputy, Ngozi Odu, has also not publicly responded to the allegations.
As the standoff continues, attention is now focused on the courts, where multiple suits related to the Rivers political crisis are already pending. Analysts warn that prolonged uncertainty could affect governance and stability in the state if political actors fail to resolve their differences within the bounds of the law.
