A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has issued an interim injunction restraining the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, from receiving or acting on any communication from the Rivers State House of Assembly relating to the impeachment of Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. (Mrs.) Ngozi Nma Odu.

The order was made in two separate suits filed by the governor and his deputy, marked Suit No. OYHC/7CS/2026 and Suit No. OYHC/6/CS/2026, at the Oyigbo Judicial Division of the High Court.

In Suit No. OYHC/6/CS/2026, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Prof. (Mrs.) Ngozi Nma Odu, DSSRS, is listed as the Claimant/Applicant, while the defendants include the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and other lawmakers.

The major defendants in the suits are led by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, alongside several members of the Assembly, including Hon. Dumle Maol, Hon. Major Jack, Hon. Franklin Uchenn Nwabochi, Hon. Christopher Kagbang Ofiks, Hon. Azeru Opara, Hon. Enemi Alabo George, Hon. Granville Tekenari Wellington, Hon. Ngbar Bernard, Hon. John Dominic Iderima, Hon. Queen Uwuma Tony Williams, Hon. Lolo Isaiah Opuende, Hon. Abbey Peter, and others.

Also joined as defendants are Hon. Igwe-Obey Aforji, Hon. Justina Emeji, Hon. Ignatius Onwuka, Hon. Chimezie Nwankwo, Hon. Lemchi Prince Nyeche, Hon. Barile Nwakoh, Hon. Emilia Lucky Amadi, Hon. Nkemjika Ezekwe, Hon. Davids Arnold Okobiriari, Hon. Nwankwo Sylvanus, Hon. Gerald Oforji, Hon. Wami Solomon, and Hon. Linda Somiari Stewart, among others, bringing the total number of defendants to 32.

Granting the interim order in a ruling on a motion ex-parte, the presiding judge, Justice F. A. Fiberesima, restrained the Chief Judge from receiving, forwarding, considering, or otherwise acting on any request, resolution, articles of impeachment, or other documents or communications from the lawmakers for the purpose of constituting a panel to investigate the alleged misconduct against Governor Fubara and his deputy.

The court further granted leave to the claimants/applicants to serve the interim order and other originating processes through substituted means, directing that service on the 1st to 31st defendants be effected by pasting the court processes at the gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters, while service on the 32nd defendant, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, be carried out through any staff of the Rivers State Judiciary at the Chief Judge’s Chambers.

Justice Fiberesima subsequently adjourned the matter to 23 January, 2026, for the hearing of the motion on notice.