By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Rivers State High Court sitting in Isiokpo issued an interim order on Wednesday, restraining the Rivers State House of Assembly from proceeding with the planned impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The court order was issued by Justice O. Ben-Whyte following an ex parte application presented by Fubara’s lawyer, Damian Okoro, marked IHC/230/CS/2023.
The court’s ruling mandated the parties involved, including Speaker Martin Amaewhule, Deputy Speaker Dumle Mao, Clerk of the House, and State Chief Judge Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, to maintain the status quo, recognizing Fubara as the Governor of Rivers State until the application of the Motion on Notice.
The case has been adjourned until November 14, 2023, for further deliberations.
This legal intervention comes after the political unrest that began on Monday night with the bombing of the state assembly complex, orchestrated by lawmakers seeking to remove the governor.
This move was allegedly instigated by Fubara’s predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Despite efforts from President Bola Tinubu and the Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum to mediate, Wike remained steadfast in justifying the impeachment plot as constitutional.
Governor Fubara, however, expressed optimism about resolving the crisis, describing his relationship with Wike as that of a father and son. The situation remains fluid as the political feud continues to unfold, leaving the people of Rivers State in a state of anticipation and uncertainty.
Your reaction