The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, has declined a request by the House of Assembly to set up a panel to investigate Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
Justice Amadi’s position was conveyed in a letter personally signed by him and addressed to the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule.
In the letter, the Chief Judge acknowledged receipt of the Assembly’s resolution requesting the constitution of a seven-member panel to probe the governor. However, he explained that he is restrained from acting due to a subsisting court order.
He further noted that the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, has lodged an appeal against the interim order at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, and that he has been duly served with the relevant notices.
According to the Chief Judge, the existence of the interim injunction and the pending appeal has effectively fettered his hands, rendering him legally unable to exercise his powers under Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in the matter.
