How Rivers State Chief Judge Crushed The Impeachment Of Gov. Fubara | READ DETAILS

The impeachment plot against Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, suffered a major setback on Wednesday after the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, firmly declined to constitute a seven-man judicial panel requested by the State House of Assembly to probe the governor and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.

The decision, which has now reshaped the power dynamics in Rivers politics, was based on a subsisting court order that expressly restrained the Chief Judge from taking any action capable of advancing the impeachment process.

According to highly placed judicial sources, the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of Speaker Martins Amaewhule had formally written to the Chief Judge, invoking constitutional provisions to initiate an investigation into allegations of gross misconduct against the governor and his deputy.

However, Justice Amadi reportedly refused to bow to pressure, citing a High Court order issued by a Port Harcourt-based court, which specifically mentioned his name and barred him from setting up any investigative panel in the matter.

"The state High Court has issued an order in which the name of the Chief Judge was clearly mentioned. He cannot disobey the law. He must do exactly what the court says,ÔÇØ a source familiar with the development disclosed.

The refusal effectively halts the impeachment process, as the constitution requires the Chief Judge to constitute a panel before the Assembly can proceed.

Legal insiders say Justice Amadi's action was not just a procedural decision, but a judicial shield that has temporarily saved Governor Fubara from a politically charged removal attempt.

The source further explained that while the Amaewhule-led faction of the Assembly may attempt to challenge the ruling at the appellate court, the existing order remains binding until it is vacated.

"There is a possibility they may go on appeal, but as of today, the Chief Judge is under a legal obligation not to act. Without the court order, he would have had no choice but to set up the panel,ÔÇØ the source added.

The development has deepened the ongoing political standoff in Rivers State, where the battle for control between rival political forces continues to play out across the executive, legislative, and judicial arms of government.

For now, Governor Fubara remains in office not by political compromise, but by the force of the law.