Court adjourns Fubara’s impeachment challenge indefinitely

The suit filed by Rivers State Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, challenging their impeachment by the Martin Amaewhule-led State Assembly, has suffered a setback as the Oyigbo High Court adjourned the matter indefinitely.

The impeachment process, initiated by the Assembly on grounds of alleged gross misconduct, had seen a request forwarded to the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Chibuzor Simeon Amadi, to set up a seven-member panel to investigate the claims. Fubara and his deputy had challenged this move in court and secured an interim order restraining Chief Judge Amadi from receiving or granting the Assembly’s request.

During proceedings on Friday, the Assembly’s lead counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria S.I. Amen, informed the court that two appeals had been filed by his clients. He orally applied for the court to halt further hearing pending the determination of the appeals.

Counsel for the claimants, Paul Orikoro, SAN, and Lawrence Oko-Jaja, representing defendants 28 to 30, did not oppose the application.

Following submissions, Justice Florence Fiberesima adjourned the case sine die, stating that the indefinite adjournment would allow the appellate court to first decide on the filed appeals.