by Zainab Imam
The suits filed by the Governor of Rivers State, , and his deputy, , challenging their impeachment by the Rivers State House of Assembly have suffered a setback following an indefinite adjournment by the High Court in Port Harcourt.
Justice Florence Fiberesima adjourned the matter sine die after counsel to the informed the court that appeals had been filed against earlier interim orders granted in favour of the governor and his deputy. The court held that it would not be proper to proceed with the substantive suits while the appellate courts are yet to determine the pending appeals.
Governor Fubara and Deputy Governor Odu had approached the court to challenge the impeachment process initiated against them, arguing that it was unconstitutional, politically motivated and in breach of due process. In earlier rulings, the court had issued interim injunctions restraining the from receiving or acting on the impeachment notice forwarded by the Assembly, as well as from setting up a seven-man investigative panel as provided for under Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution.
The Assembly, through its lawyers and under the leadership of Speaker , insisted that the impeachment process is a constitutional responsibility of the legislature and should not be halted by the courts. The lawmakers accused the governor and his deputy of gross misconduct, allegations the duo have strongly denied.
The impeachment move is the latest development in the deepening political crisis rocking Rivers State, arising from a prolonged power struggle between the executive and the legislature. The standoff has fuelled political tension and raised concerns about governance and stability in the oil-rich state.
With the indefinite adjournment, impeachment proceedings remain stalled, but the legal challenge by Fubara and Odu has also been paused, effectively transferring the battle to the Court of Appeal. Until the appeals are resolved, the political and constitutional uncertainty surrounding the leadership of Rivers State is expected to persist.