The Rivers State House of Assembly has expressed concern over what it described as covert efforts by unnamed individuals to manipulate certain Rivers State High Courts outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division to derail the ongoing impeachment proceedings against the state’s Governor and Deputy Governor.
In a statement dated January 11, 2026, and signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Dr Enemi Alabo George, the Assembly said it had received credible intelligence indicating that some persons were pursuing ex parte court orders aimed at unlawfully restraining the legislature from performing its constitutional duties.
The lawmakers cautioned that any such move would amount to an outright subversion of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Assembly referenced Sections 272(3) and 188(10) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), noting that these provisions clearly restrict the jurisdiction of courts in matters concerning the tenure of elected officials and expressly prohibit judicial intervention in impeachment proceedings.
“These persons are also fully aware of judicial pronouncements on this matter, especially recently at the court of appeal on a matter involving similar ex parte order by a Rivers state high court contrary to section 272(3) of the constitution. A word is enough for the wise,” the statement said.
“Therefore, with the leave of the speaker of the Rivers state house of assembly, I call on those concerned to exercise restraint and refrain from acts inimical to the Constitution and the rule of law.”
The statement further drew attention to recent decisions of the Court of Appeal which overturned comparable ex parte orders issued in the past, reinforcing the constitutional limits placed on judicial involvement in impeachment matters.
According to the Assembly, all public office holders affected by the impeachment process have already been properly served with notices detailing allegations of gross misconduct and are expected to respond through the appropriate constitutional channels, rather than engaging in what it termed “subterranean moves” designed to frustrate due process.
With the approval of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, the House urged all parties involved to show restraint and uphold the rule of law.
It reaffirmed its commitment to constitutionalism and democratic principles, stressing that it would not be distracted by attempts to malign the Assembly or intimidate its members.
What you should know
Impeachment processes in Nigeria are strictly governed by the Constitution, which limits judicial intervention to preserve the independence of legislative actions.
Sections 272(3) and 188(10) of the 1999 Constitution are frequently cited to prevent courts from interfering in the removal of elected officials. In Rivers State, tensions between the executive and legislature have heightened political sensitivities, making impeachment proceedings particularly contentious.
Previous rulings by the Court of Appeal have reinforced that ex parte orders obtained to halt such processes are unconstitutional, underscoring the need for all parties to follow due process and respect constitutional boundaries.
