Justice Florence Fiberesima of the Oyigbo High Court, Port Harcourt, has adjourned sine die the suit instituted by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Ngozi Nma-Ordu, challenging the impeachment process commenced against them by Speaker Martin Amaewhule and 26 other members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, alongside the Clerk of the House.
When proceedings resumed, lead counsel to the Speaker and the Assembly members, S.I. Amen, SAN, informed the court that an appeal had been duly entered and urged the court to halt further hearing pending the appellate court’s determination.
The oral application met no resistance from counsel to the claimants, Paul Orikoro, SAN, and Lawrence Oko-Jaja, who represents defendants including Oko Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy, and Orubienimigha Timothy.
Delivering her ruling, Justice Fiberesima adjourned the matter indefinitely following proof that two separate appeals had been entered.
She held that the adjournment would allow the appellate court to first pronounce on the issues before it, effectively freezing proceedings at the lower court.
The development comes against the backdrop of an earlier interim injunction granted by the same court, restraining the Speaker, 32 others—including the Clerk of the House—and the Chief Judge of Rivers State from advancing the impeachment process.
The order barred the transmission of any impeachment articles or related communications aimed at setting up a probe panel and restrained the Chief Judge, Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, from receiving or acting on such requests for seven days.
With the case now in limbo, attention shifts squarely to the appellate courts, where the next decisive legal battle over Rivers State’s political future will be fought.
Credit: Arise News except headline
