The Rivers State High Court has issued a restraining order against the state’s chief judge from receiving or acting on any impeachment notice directed at Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.

Presiding judge F.A. Fiberesima, in a ruling on a motion ex parte in two separate suits filed by Mr Fubara and Ms Odu, also granted leave to the claimants to serve the interim order and the originating processes in suit nos OYHC/7CS/2026 and OYHC/6/CS/2026, as well as subsequent processes meant for the first to the 31st defendants at the gate of the Rivers State assembly quarters.

The judge further directed that the interim order and the originating processes in the suits be served on the 32nd defendant, who is the state’s chief judge, through any staff of the judiciary at his chambers within the high court premises. 

Mr Fiberesima thereafter adjourned the case until January 23, 2026, for the hearing of the motion.

The orders were issued following a request by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly on Friday, demanding that the chief judge constitute a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against the governor and his deputy.

The lawmakers had vowed to forge ahead with the impeachment process after reaching a unanimous decision earlier. 

However, the court order now suspends the process pending further legal proceedings.