Justice Florence Fiberesima of the Oyigbo High Court in Rivers State, sitting in Port Harcourt, has adjourned indefinitely the suit filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Ordu, challenging the impeachment proceedings initiated against them by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The suit is against the Speaker of the House, Martin Chike Amaewhule, 26 other lawmakers, and the Clerk of the Assembly.
At the hearing, lead counsel to Amaewhule and 27 other lawmakers, S.I. Amen (SAN), informed the court that an appeal had been entered and orally applied for a stay of proceedings pending the determination of the appeal.
The application was not opposed by counsel to the claimants, Paul Orikolo (SAN), nor by Lawrence Oko-Jaja, counsel to the 28th to 30th defendants — Oko Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy, and Orubienimigha Timothy.
In her ruling, Justice Fiberesima adjourned the matter indefinitely after being presented with proof that two separate appeals had been duly entered. She explained that the adjournment would allow the appellate court to determine the issues raised in the suit.
Recall that an earlier ruling by the Rivers State High Court sitting in Oyigbo Local Government Area had granted an interim injunction restraining the Speaker, 27 lawmakers, the Clerk of the House, and the Chief Judge of Rivers State from taking further steps in the impeachment process.
The interim order specifically barred the lawmakers from forwarding articles of impeachment or any related documents to the Chief Judge for the purpose of setting up a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against the governor and his deputy.
