The Rivers State House of Assembly has said the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Simeon Amadi, has acknowledged receipt of the impeachment notice issued against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
Naijaonpoint understands that the House commenced impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy last week over allegations of gross misconduct.
The lawmakers initiated the process after the leader of the Assembly, Major Jack, read out the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara, which was reportedly signed by 26 members of the House.
On Friday, the Assembly voted in favour of a motion requesting the Chief Judge to constitute a panel to investigate the allegations levelled against the governor and his deputy.
The allegations include budgetary impropriety, failure to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the Assembly, unauthorised expenditure of public funds, and withholding of statutory allocations meant for the legislature, among other alleged infractions.
Court Issues Interim Restraining Order
Meanwhile, a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt issued an interim order restraining the Chief Judge from receiving or acting on any impeachment notice against Fubara and Odu.
The order was granted by Justice Florence Fiberesima following two separate suits filed by the governor and his deputy, marked OYHC/7/CS/2026 and OYHC/6/CS/2026.
Justice Fiberesima barred the Chief Judge from receiving, forwarding, considering or acting on any request, resolution or articles of impeachment submitted by members of the Assembly.
However, in a statement issued on Friday evening, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Enemi George, said the impeachment letters and accompanying documents had already been delivered and acknowledged by the Chief Judge.
George said, “It is important to inform the good people of Rivers State that Mr Speaker has already complied with the Constitution, and letters sent by him to the Chief Judge have been received and acknowledged.
“All relevant documents, including the Notices of Allegations of Gross Misconduct, were attached.”
George stressed that the Assembly’s actions were firmly rooted in the provisions of Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which outlines the procedure for the impeachment of a governor.
He urged residents of Rivers State to remain calm and not be swayed by what he described as attempts to undermine democratic processes.
“All subsequent steps in the impeachment process are clearly outlined under Section 188 of the Constitution. The people of Rivers State should remain calm and not be misled by those who want to truncate our democracy,” he added.
The lawmaker also thanked residents for their support and prayers, insisting that the Assembly had acted strictly within constitutional bounds.