January 24, 2026 — Dalena Reporters
An Oyigbo High Court in Rivers State has adjourned indefinitely the lawsuit filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma-Odu, challenging the impeachment proceedings initiated against them by the Rivers State House of Assembly,
The court, presided over by Justice Florence Fiberesima, adjourned the matter sine die after confirming that two separate appeals had already been filed in connection with the case.
According to the judge, the adjournment was necessary to allow the Court of Appeal to first determine the pending appeals before the High Court can take any further action on the substantive suit.
Governor Fubara and his deputy had filed the suit to challenge what they described as unconstitutional and politically motivated impeachment proceedings being pursued by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, 26 other lawmakers loyal to him, and the Clerk of the House.
Justice Fiberesima ruled that once an appeal has been properly entered, the trial court must exercise restraint to avoid actions that could conflict with the jurisdiction of the appellate court.
The adjournment effectively places the impeachment litigation on hold, extending the tense standoff between the executive arm of government and the faction of the legislature aligned with former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Earlier, the same Oyigbo High Court had issued an interim order of injunction restraining the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, and 32 others including the Clerk of the House and the Chief Judge of Rivers State from taking further steps in the impeachment process.
In that ruling, the court barred the Speaker and the lawmakers from forwarding any articles of impeachment, resolutions, or other documents to the Chief Judge of the state for the purpose of setting up a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara and his deputy.
The interim order also restrained the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, from receiving, considering, or acting on any request, resolution, or communication from the defendants relating to articles of impeachment.
Justice Fiberesima noted that proceeding with the case in the face of the pending appeals could amount to judicial impropriety.