OPEN PROTEST LETTER TO RIVERS STATE LAW MAKERS.

To: The Honourable Speaker and Members  Rivers State House of Assembly  
Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters / Complex  Port Harcourt, Rivers State  

Date: January 18, 2026  

Subject: STRONG PROTEST AGAINST YOUR INSISTENCE ON THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESSAGAINST GOVERNOR SIMINALAYI FUBARA AND DEPUTY GOVERNOR PROF. NGOZI NMA ODUDESPITE CLEAR JUDICIAL INTERVENTION – WE DEMAND RESPECT FOR THE RULE OF LAWAND IMMEDIATE CESSATION OF ALL ACTIONS IN DEFIANCE OF COURT ORDERS  

Dear Honourable Speaker Martin Amaewhule and Distinguished Members of the Rivers StateHouse of Assembly,

We, the Leadership Awareness & Transparency Network (LATNET), a civil society organizationcommitted to promoting good governance, accountability, transparency, constitutionalism,and the supremacy of the rule of law in Nigeria, write this open protest letter with deepconcern and righteous indignation over your continued insistence on pursuing theimpeachment proceedings against His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and HerExcellency, Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, even in the face of a valid and subsistinginterim court order.

Today, Friday, January 16, 2026, a Rivers State High Court sitting in the Oyibo JudicialDivision (Port Harcourt), presided over by the courageous and principled *Hon. Justice F. A.Fiberesima, has issued a clear and binding interim order of injunction in Suit Nos.OYHC/7/CS/2026 and OYHC/6/CS/2026, filed by the Governor and Deputy Governorrespectively.

This order explicitly restrains:

• You, the Speaker, the Clerk, and 32 other defendants (including members of the Assembly)from taking any further steps in the impeachment process.
• The Chief Judge of Rivers State from receiving, transmitting, considering, or acting on anyrequest, resolution, articles of impeachment, or related communication from the Assemblyaimed at setting up an investigative panel.

The order is for an initial period of seven (7) days, with the matter adjourned to January 23, 2026, for hearing of the motion on notice.

The court, in its wisdom, also permitted
innovative service of processes by pasting at the Assembly quarters and through judicial staff
— underscoring the urgency and seriousness of preventing any precipitate or unlawful action.

Yet, despite this judicial pronouncement — which is binding on all persons and authoritiesthroughout the Federation under Section 287 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) — reportsindicate that you have:

• Publicly declared that the impeachment process will continue and is the “only solution.”
• Formally urged the Chief Judge to constitute an investigative panel.
• Witnessed a dramatic U-turn by four lawmakers who briefly withdrew support but have nowrecommitted to the process.

This stance amounts to open defiance of a competent court of law, contempt of court,and a dangerous assault on the separation of powers and the independence of thejudiciary — foundational pillars of our democracy.

We Strongly Protest and Condemn:

1. Your willful disregard for the subsisting court order, which halts any further steps in theimpeachment until the court hears and determines the substantive issues of jurisdiction, legality, due process, and alleged misconduct.
2. The repeated politicization of the impeachment process, turning what should be a solemnconstitutional mechanism into a tool for political vendetta and power struggle.
3. The risk this poses to peace, stability, and good governance in Rivers State, where thepeople deserve focused leadership on development, security, infrastructure, and economicprogress — not endless political crises.
4. The potential for constitutional crisis if you proceed to act in defiance, thereby invitingcontempt proceedings, possible sanctions, and further judicial interventions.

We Wholeheartedly Commend:

The Rivers State Judiciary, particularly Hon. Justice F. A. Fiberesima, for demonstrating judicial courage, independence, and fidelity to the rule of law bygranting this timely interim injunction. In a time when political pressures are immense, yourdecision to prioritize justice, due process, and constitutional propriety over expediency is trulyheroic and worthy of national applause.

The judiciary remains the last hope of the common man — and today, you have reaffirmed that hope.

Our Demands:

• Immediately cease and desist from all actions, statements, or steps aimed at advancing theimpeachment process until the court vacates or varies its order on January 23, 2026, orotherwise determines.
• Publicly acknowledge the binding nature of the court order and commit to respecting it.- Embrace genuine dialogue and political reconciliation as the preferred path to resolvingdifferences, in the supreme interest of Rivers people.
• Prioritize legislative duties that benefit the citizens over divisive political maneuvers.

We stand ready to mobilize citizens, engage stakeholders, and pursue all lawful means todefend constitutional democracy and the rule of law in Rivers State.

The eyes of Rivers State, Nigeria, and indeed the international community are on you. Choosethe path of honour, legality, and statesmanship.

Signed:
LEADERSHIP AWARENESS & TRANSPARENCY NETWORK (LATNET)  
Email: latnetnigeria@gmail.com  

1. Hon. Usman Buhari Ali Gwandu, Ph.D 
      (National Convener)  
      08067831800  
2. Hon. A. D. Dogwo 
      (Secretary General)  
      08120104666  

Cc:

• The Chief Judge of Rivers State  
• The Honourable Attorney-General of Rivers State  
• National Judicial Council (NJC)  
• The Media  
• All Well-Meaning Citizens of Rivers State and Nigeria  

RuleofLawMustPrevail!  

NotoAnarchy! 

YestoConstitutionalDemocracy!