In a significant legal development, a Rivers State High Court situated in Isiokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state, has issued an interim order barring the State House of Assembly from pursuing the impeachment of Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
The court’s decision comes in response to a lawsuit filed by Governor Fubara, who sought legal protection against impeachment.
Governor Fubara, through a suit with the reference number IHC/230/CS/2023, brought the matter before the court. The defendants named in the lawsuit include The Rivers State House of Assembly (1st Defendant), the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly (2nd Defendant), the Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly (3rd Defendant), the Clerk of the Rivers State House of Assembly (4th Defendant), and the Chief Justice of the State (5th Defendant).
Representing the State Government in court, Mr. Damian Okoro, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), presented the case before Justice Ben Whyte. Okoro requested the court to grant an interim injunction preventing the State Assembly, the Chief Justice, or any other party from proceeding with the impeachment process against Governor Fubara until the case before the court is fully determined.
Following careful deliberation, the Court granted the Interim Order, thereby restraining the Rivers State House of Assembly, the Speaker of the House, Deputy Speaker, Clerk of the House, and the Chief Judge of the State from taking any actions related to the impeachment of Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara pending the outcome of the Motion on Notice.
In light of this development, the court has adjourned the case to November 14, 2023, for a hearing on the matter. This decision temporarily puts on hold any efforts to impeach the Governor, ensuring that due legal processes can take place before any further actions are considered.
The outcome of this case will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the political landscape in Rivers State, and LatestNaija.news will continue to provide updates as the situation unfolds.
