A pro-democracy advocacy group, the Coalition for Democratic Accountability and Rule of Law (CDARL), has endorsed the decision of the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, to decline the request by the Rivers State House of Assembly to constitute a judicial panel to investigate Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.

In a statement issued on Friday, the group said the chief judge acted within the bounds of the law, citing existing interim court orders and a pending appeal at the Court of Appeal as grounds for his refusal. CDARL described the move as a demonstration of constitutional discipline rather than political partisanship.

The group’s national president, Barrister Ibrahim Lawal Abdulkareem, said Justice Amadi’s position that his hands were “fettered” by subsisting court orders reflected respect for judicial authority and adherence to legal ethics.

According to Abdulkareem, the interim injunctions restraining the chief judge from taking any action connected to impeachment proceedings left him with no discretion under Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution. He added that proceeding otherwise would have amounted to a violation of the law.

“Once a court of competent jurisdiction issues an order, every individual and institution, including the legislature, is bound by it,” Abdulkareem said.

The group explained that the doctrine of lis pendens, referenced by the chief judge in his response to the assembly, was intended to preserve the status quo while a matter is before a higher court. It noted that the principle prevents parallel actions that could prejudice the outcome of an appeal.

“When a case is pending before an appellate court, restraint is mandatory. The refusal to act under such circumstances is not obstruction but constitutional compliance,” the statement said.

CDARL warned that any attempt by the Rivers State House of Assembly to proceed with impeachment steps despite the court orders could undermine judicial authority and deepen political instability in the state.

“The impeachment of a sitting governor is a serious constitutional power that must not be exercised in defiance of court directives,” the group said.

The advocacy group stressed that ongoing political tensions in Rivers State could only be resolved through strict obedience to judicial rulings, noting that courts exist to mediate disputes among arms of government.

It cautioned that disregarding interim court orders could erode public confidence and lead to institutional breakdown, urging lawmakers to await the outcome of the appeal before taking further action.

CDARL emphasised that its position was not in defence of any individual officeholder but a principled stand in support of judicial independence and constitutional order.

Vanguard News