• As Speaker, Others Appeal Against Earlier Orders
A Rivers State High Court has adjourned indefinitely the suit filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma-Odu, challenging the impeachment process initiated against them by the Speaker and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The court, presided by Justice Florence Fiberesima of the Oyigbo Judicial Division, adjourned the case indefinitely following the confirmation that two separate appeals arising from the suit had been filed at the appellate court.

The judge held that the development made it prudent to halt further proceedings to allow the Court of Appeal to determine the issues placed before it.

At the resumed hearing, lead counsel to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Martin Chike-Amaewhule, and 27 other lawmakers, Mr. S.I. Amen (SAN), informed the court that an appeal had been duly entered against earlier rulings in the case.

He consequently made an oral application urging the court to stay proceedings pending the determination of the appeal.

The application was not opposed by the claimants’ lead counsel, Mr. Paul Oritikoro (SAN). Also aligning with the application was Mr. Lawrence Oko-Jaja (SAN), counsel to defendants listed as numbers 28 to 30, namely Oko Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy and Orubienimigha Timothy.

In her ruling, Justice Fiberesima noted that proof of two separate appeals had been presented before the court.

The judge ruled that continuing with the substantive suit in the face of pending appeals could result in conflicting decisions, adding that the interest of justice would be better served by allowing the appellate court to first make a pronouncement on the matter.

She, therefore, adjourned the matter indefinitely.

The lawmakers had, last week, initiated impeachment moves against Fubara and Nma-Odu over alleged constitutional misconduct, particularly on matters relating to financial appropriation.

In response, the Governor Fubara and his deputy filed separate ex parte applications requesting interim injunctions to restrain the Speaker, 25 other lawmakers, and the Clerk of the House from taking further steps in the impeachment process.

The claimants also urged the court to bar the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Simeon Amadi, from receiving or constituting a seven-member impeachment panel pending the determination of the substantive suits.

The court had earlier granted the interim prayers and fixed Friday, January 23, 2026, for hearing.