The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Chibuzor Simeon Amadi, has formally declined the Rivers State House of Assembly’s request to receive or act on any notice of impeachment against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu.
In a letter dated January 16, 2026, and addressed to the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, the Chief Judge stated that he would not participate in or recognise any impeachment proceedings until the ongoing legal disputes over the legitimacy of the Assembly and its leadership are fully resolved by the courts.
The decision effectively stalls the impeachment process initiated by the pro-Wike faction of the Assembly, shifting the entire contest into the judicial arena.
Justice Amadi cited the multiplicity of pending court cases including suits challenging the legality of the current House leadership, the status of the 27 lawmakers who defected from the PDP, and various interlocutory injunctions as sufficient grounds to withhold his participation.
The letter read in part: “In the interest of justice, fairness, and the need to avoid a constitutional crisis, I am unable to receive or act on any impeachment notice until all related matters in various courts are conclusively determined.”
The development is a major setback for the lawmakers loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who had earlier threatened to serve the impeachment notice within seven days and forward it to the Chief Judge for the constitution of a seven-man panel.
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Governor Fubara’s legal team welcomed the Chief Judge’s position, describing it as “a courageous stand for the rule of law and the avoidance of anarchy in Rivers State.”
The pro-Wike faction has not issued an official response as of press time, but sources close to the group say they may seek to challenge the Chief Judge’s decision in court or approach the National Judicial Council (NJC).
The Rivers crisis marked by parallel Assembly sittings, defections, court battles, and violence has now been firmly relocated to the judiciary, with several cases pending at the Supreme Court, Appeal Court, and Federal High Court.
By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
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