The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, has declined to constitute a judicial panel to investigate Governor Siminalayi Fubara, citing subsisting court orders that restrain him from taking any further action on the matter.
The Rivers State House of Assembly had requested the Chief Judge to set up a seven-member panel to probe Governor Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, over allegations of gross misconduct.
However, Justice Amadi explained that his office was served with two interim court orders on January 16, arising from separate suits filed by Fubara and Odu, which expressly barred him from considering or acting on any resolution, request, or document linked to impeachment proceedings against the governor and the deputy governor.
The Chief Judge explained that the doctrine of lis pendens required all parties to await the outcome of the appeal before any furtheri action could be taken.
He noted that the lawmakers had already filed an appeal against the interim orders at the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt, and the notices of appeal were served on his office on January 19 and 20.
Justice Amadi urged the lawmakers to “be magnanimous enough to appreciate the legal position of the matter.”
The development has brought a fresh impasse in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.
The Chief Judge’s decision highlights the importance of adhering to the rule of law and respecting court orders.
The development also underscores the importance of political actors seeking judicial resolution of disputes rather than resorting to impeachment proceedings.
As the situation continues to evolve, stakeholders remain keenly awaiting the outcome of the appeal.
