The Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has adjourned indefinitely the lawsuit filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Ordu, challenging the impeachment proceedings initiated against them by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The suit, presided over by Justice Florence Fiberesima of the Oyigbo High Court, was instituted against the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Martin Chike-Amaewhule, twenty-six other lawmakers, and the Clerk of the Assembly. Governor Fubara and his deputy are seeking judicial intervention to halt the impeachment process, which they argue is unlawful.
During proceedings, lead counsel to the Speaker and twenty-seven other lawmakers, S.I. Amen, SAN, informed the court that appeals had already been filed against earlier decisions in the matter. He therefore made an oral application requesting the court to suspend further hearings pending the determination of the appeals by the appellate court.
The application was not opposed by counsel to the claimants, Paul Orikolo, SAN, nor by Lawrence Oko-Jaja, who represents the 28th to 30th defendants, identified as Oko Jumbo Sokari Goodboy and Orubienimigha Timothy.
In her ruling, Justice Fiberesima confirmed that two separate appeals had been duly entered and ruled that the case be adjourned indefinitely. She explained that the decision would allow the Court of Appeal to first determine the issues raised before any further action is taken by the trial court.
The case follows an earlier interim injunction issued by the Rivers State High Court sitting in Oyigbo Local Government Area. That order restrained the Speaker, twenty-seven lawmakers, and other officials including the Clerk of the House from transmitting impeachment notices or related documents to the Chief Judge of Rivers State.
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The injunction specifically barred any steps aimed at constituting a judicial panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara and his deputy, pending the resolution of the legal dispute.