Justice Chibuzor Simeon Amadi, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, has refused to establish a seven-member panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Ngozi Odu, following a request by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The decision, communicated in a letter to Speaker Martins Amaewhule, comes after two interim court orders were served on the Chief Judge’s office on January 16, 2026, restraining him from receiving, considering, or acting on the Assembly’s request. The orders were filed in separate suits by the governor and his deputy.
In his letter, Justice Amadi noted that the existing court orders legally prevent him from acting on the Assembly’s request. He cited the legal principle of lis pendens, which bars any action on a matter that is already pending before a court, and stressed the need to respect judicial rulings to avoid contempt of court.
The Assembly had earlier invoked Section 188(5) of the Nigerian Constitution, calling on the Chief Judge to establish a panel to probe alleged constitutional breaches, including irregularities in budget processes and governance issues. However, with the injunctions in place and under appeal at the Court of Appeal, Justice Amadi confirmed he cannot proceed with the formation of the panel at this time.
This ruling effectively pauses the Assembly’s next step in the impeachment process, shifting the focus to ongoing judicial proceedings. The Chief Judge’s decision has been described as a move to uphold the rule of law and constitutional due process in the state.
Leave a Reply