Rivers Chief Judge Refrains From Setting Up Panel Against Governor Fubara, Deputy

Referencing legal precedents in a similar case in 2007.

The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Chibuzor Simeon Amadi, has declined to constitute a seven-member panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Sim Fubara and his Deputy, Ngozi Ordu.

In a letter dated 20th January 2026, addressed to the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, Justice Amadi cited two court orders barring him from receiving, forwarding, or considering any requests to form such a panel.

The orders were served on his office on 16th January 2026 and remain in force.

The Chief Judge emphasized that constitutionalism and the rule of law require all authorities to obey subsisting court orders, irrespective of their perception of the orders’ validity.

He referenced legal precedents, noting that in a similar case in 2007, the Chief Judge of Kwara State was condemned for ignoring a restraining court order when setting up an investigative panel, a decision later voided by the Court of Appeal.

Justice Amadi further observed that the Speaker has already filed an appeal against the court orders at the Court of Appeal, adding another layer to the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the allegations.