As the political crises in Rivers State continue to unfold,there are indications that the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, may be prevented from setting up a panel to investigate allegations against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma-Ordu, due to an existing court order.
Reports say the order was issued on July 8, 2024, by the Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt and presided over by Justice Stephens Jumbo in Suit No. PHC/2177/CS/2024: Attorney-General of Rivers State vs. Martins Chike-Amaewhule and 32 others.
According to the reports, Justice Jumbo restrained the Chief Judge, who is the 31st defendant in the suit, from receiving or acting on any resolutions, articles of impeachment or related processes from the Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly, pending the determination of a motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction.
Judicial sources disclosed that the order was subsequently extended by the court on July 15, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. As of now, the order remains in force.
Information gathered say that the Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rivers State chapter, appealed against the ruling at the Court of Appeal in Appeal Nos: CA/PH/302/2024 and CA/PH/307/2024, which are still pending.
Till date and from records, the Court of Appeal has not set aside the order, and there is also no stay of execution.
Hanto Daily News reports that the situation is resulting in pressure allegedly being mounted on Justice Jumbo to vacate the order.
Political Observers are keenly watching the situation though there are suggestions that President Tinubu may have intervened in the matter which has painted the Oil-Rich State black.
