By Suleiman Anyalewechi
An Advocacy group – the African Centre for Democracy and leadership, ACDL, on Friday, January 16, 2026, cautioned the Rivers State Chief Judge, The Honourable Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi , against the temptation of compromising the independence of the Judicial Arm of Government in the ongoing political impasse in the State.
The ACDL admonition is coming against the backdrop of the House of Assembly’s directives for the Chief Judge to commence the process of investigating allegations of impeachable offences leveled against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
The Source reports that the State Lawmakers on Friday, during plenary, while reaffirming their resolve to continue the impeachment proceedings which they commenced a week ago, directed the Chief Judge to set up a seven-member panel to investigate all the allegations against the Governor and his Deputy.
The Legislators who could not reconvene on Thursday January 15, as earlier scheduled, warned that no manner of orchestrated smear campaign or lobbying will halt the impeachment proceedings.
Friday’s Plenary also witnessed a curious moment, as four members who had, earlier, distanced themselves from the impeachment option, recanted, and endorsed the directives to the Chief Judge.
But in a statement by its Executive Director, Barr. Nedu Ekwueme, the ACDL warned that Rivers State can ill-afford another round of needless political upheaval, urging the Chief Judge to ensure that the Judiciary does not lend itself to any acts capable of undermining peace and stability of Rivers State.
The group emphasized the urgent need for the judiciary to maintain its independence, and avoid being used to deepen the political crisis in the State.
The group, while acknowledging the constitutional role of the Chief Judge in appointing a probe panel in the present circumstance, however, insisted that such assignment should be performed with utmost integrity and transparency.
“The Judiciary must remain the last bastion of hope for justice and fairness in our democracy .
” We caution Justice ,Chibuzor-Amadi against allowing himself to be manipulated by lawmakers whose actions appear to be driven by vendetta rather than constitutional duty.
“This impeachment process has all the hallmarks of a political witch-hunt . The Chief Judge must not play into the hands of these law makers ,as doing so would erode public trust in the judiciary ,and set a precedent for future abuses of power.
“We have seen in the past how hasty judicial panels have fueled crises rather than resolved them ,as in the cases of former Governors Rashidi Ladoja of Oyo state ,Peter Obi of Anambra’ state and Joshua Dariye of Plateau state ,where impeachments were nullified due to violations of due process.
“Rivers state cannot afford another round of needless turmoil ,. The Chief Judge should prioritize due process over expediency” ACDL warned.
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