The Rivers State House of Assembly has said that Simeon Amadi, the chief judge of the state, has acknowledged receipt of the impeachment notice served on Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, despite a court order restraining further action on the process.

The state legislature last week initiated impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy after Major Jack, the leader of the assembly, read allegations of gross misconduct against Fubara, endorsed by 26 lawmakers.

On Friday, the lawmakers adopted a motion requesting the chief judge to constitute a panel to investigate the allegations.

The accusations levelled against the governor and his deputy include budgetary impropriety, failure to present the 2026 appropriation bill to the assembly, unauthorised expenditure of public funds, withholding of statutory allocations due to the legislature, and other actions described as gross misconduct.

However, the impeachment process was thrown into uncertainty after a High Court sitting in Port Harcourt issued an interim order restraining the chief judge from receiving or acting on any impeachment notice against Fubara and Odu.

The order was granted by Justice Florence Fiberesima following two separate suits filed by the governor and his deputy, marked OYHC/7/CS/2026 and OYHC/6/CS/2026. The court barred the chief judge from “receiving, forwarding, considering, or acting on any request, resolution, or articles of impeachment” submitted by members of the House of Assembly.

In spite of the court order, the assembly said the impeachment notice had already been delivered and acknowledged by the chief judge.

In a statement issued on Friday evening, the chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Enemi George, said the letters forwarded to the chief judge, together with all relevant documents, had been duly received.

“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,” George said.

“All relevant documents, including the Notices of Allegations of Gross Misconduct, were attached.”

George added that the next stages of the impeachment process are clearly provided for under Section 188 of the Constitution, urging residents to remain calm and not be swayed by “those who want to truncate our democracy.”

He maintained that the assembly acted strictly within the provisions of the constitution and expressed appreciation to the people of Rivers State for their support and prayers. (BusinessDay, excluding headline)