The Rivers State House of Assembly has maintained that Chief Judge Simeon Amadi has acknowledged receipt of the impeachment notice against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, despite a high court order restraining the judge from acting on the matter.

The assembly launched impeachment proceedings last week after Major Jack, the leader of the House, read allegations of gross misconduct against the governor, signed by 26 members. On Friday, lawmakers approved a motion directing the Chief Judge to investigate the charges, which include budgetary impropriety, failure to present the 2026 appropriation bill, unauthorised expenditure of public funds, and withholding of statutory allocations to the legislature.

However, the High Court in Port Harcourt, presided over by Justice Florence Fiberesima, had earlier issued an interim order barring the Chief Judge from receiving or acting on any impeachment notice. The order followed separate suits filed by Fubara and Odu, marked OYHC/7/CS/2026 and OYHC/6/CS/2026.

In a statement on Friday, Enemi George, chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions, and Complaints, said all letters and supporting documents sent to the Chief Judge had been “received and acknowledged.”

George stated, “It is important to inform the good people of Rivers State that Mr Speaker has complied with the constitution. Letters sent to the Chief Judge, along with Notices of Allegations of Gross Misconduct, were duly received and acknowledged.”

He added that subsequent steps in the impeachment process would follow Section 188 of the Constitution and urged residents to remain calm amid attempts to “truncate democracy.”

The House expressed appreciation to Rivers residents for their support and prayers.