A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has issued an order barring the Chief Judge of the state from receiving or acting on any impeachment notice against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
The development follows a move by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who on Friday formally requested the Chief Judge to constitute a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against the governor and his deputy.
The lawmakers, who reached the decision through a unanimous vote, had vowed to press ahead with the impeachment process.
However, the court order now puts the process on hold, pending further legal proceedings.
