Political Storm iIn Rivers: Judiciary Refutes Claims Of Forced Leave For Chief Judge

Political Storm In Rivers: Judiciary Refutes Claims Of Forced Leave For Chief Judge

The Rivers State Judiciary has dismissed reports alleging that the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Simon Amadi, is planning to take a one-year leave starting Thursday, March 7, 2025. This follows widespread rumors suggesting that Governor Siminalayi Fubara.……..READ MORE 

had instructed the Chief Judge to leave the country as part of a political strategy to hinder a purported impeachment attempt by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly.

In a statement issued from Port Harcourt, Chief Registrar of the High Court, David D. Ihua-Maduenyi, Esq., described the claims as false, misleading, and malicious.

The statement read: “The Rivers State Judiciary categorically denies the report published on March 5, 2025, by NEWS WEEK ELECTRONIC MEDIA CHANNEL, titled ‘BREAKING: Rivers State Chief Judge Embarks on One-Year Recess Leave’. The Judiciary refutes this baseless and harmful allegation against Hon. Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi (DSSRS).”

It further clarified that the Chief Judge has not announced any form of extended leave, as the concept does not exist within the established judicial vacation calendar. The Judiciary’s official vacations are limited to Christmas, Easter, and annual breaks.

The statement concluded by calling on those responsible for spreading the false report to retract it or face legal consequences, urging the public to disregard the misleading claims that could stir unnecessary discord in the state.

This firm rejection of the report comes amidst growing political tensions between Governor Fubara and the state legislature, as both sides continue to clash over control.