The Rivers State House of Assembly has raised the alarm over what it described as clandestine efforts by unnamed individuals to frustrate the ongoing impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu through the courts.
In a statement dated January 11, 2026, the Assembly said it had received credible intelligence that some persons were attempting to procure ex parte orders from Rivers State High Courts outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division to illegally restrain lawmakers from carrying out their constitutional duties.
The statement, signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Enemi Alabo George, warned that any such move would amount to a subversion of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The lawmakers cited Sections 272(3) and 188(10) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which limit the jurisdiction of courts in matters relating to the tenure of elected officials and expressly bar courts from entertaining proceedings connected with impeachment processes.
The House also referenced recent pronouncements of the Court of Appeal, which it said had nullified similar ex parte orders issued in the past in impeachment-related matters.
According to the statement, the affected office holders have already been duly served with notices of allegations of gross misconduct and are expected to respond in line with constitutional provisions.
The Assembly faulted what it described as “subterranean moves” aimed at frustrating due process instead of engaging the process lawfully.
With the approval of the Speaker, Martin Chike Amaewhule, the House called on all concerned parties to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law.
It reaffirmed its commitment to constitutional democracy, stating that it would not be distracted or intimidated by attempts to malign the Assembly or undermine its authority.