The Rivers house of assembly says Simeon Amadi, chief judge of the state, has acknowledged receipt of the impeachment notice against Siminalayi Fubara, the governor, and Ngozi Odu, his deputy.
Last week, the state parliament commenced impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy.
The lawmakers launched the process after Major Jack, leader of the assembly, read gross misconduct charges against Fubara, signed by 26 members of the house.
On Friday, the lawmakers voted in favour of a motion requesting the chief judge to probe the gross misconduct allegations against Fubara and his deputy.
The allegations include budgetary impropriety, failure to present the 2026 appropriation bill to the assembly, unauthorised expenditure of public funds, withholding of statutory allocations to the legislature, and other acts deemed to constitute gross misconduct.
Subsequently, a high court in Port Harcourt issued an interim order restraining the state’s chief judge from receiving or acting on any impeachment notice against Fubara and Odu.
Florence Fiberesima, presiding judge of the high court, following two separate suits filed by Fubara and his deputy, marked OYHC/7/CS/2026 and OYHC/6/CS/2026.
Fiberesima barred the chief judge from receiving, forwarding, considering, or acting on any request, resolution, or articles of impeachment submitted by members of the Rivers state house of assembly.
‘AMADI HAS ACKNOWLEDGED RECEIPT OF IMPEACHMENT NOTICE’
However, in a statement issued on Friday evening, Enemi George, chairman of the house committee on information, petitions and complaints, said the letters forwarded to the chief judge, along with all relevant documents and notices of allegations of gross misconduct, had been “received and acknowledged”.
“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,” the statement reads.
“All relevant documents, including the Notices of Allegations of Gross Misconduct, were attached.”
George added that all subsequent steps in the impeachment process are clearly outlined under section 188 of the constitution, urging residents of the state to remain calm and not be misled by “those who want to truncate our democracy”.
He noted that the assembly’s actions were in strict compliance with constitutional provisions and thanked Rivers residents for their support and prayers.
