Court Halts Ibas From Inaugurating Appointees Amid Legal Dispute Over Sackings
A High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has issued a restraining order against the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibo-Ete Ibas, preventing him from swearing in political appointees pending the outcome of a suit challenging the legality of recent dismissals from state boards.
Justice Frank Onyiri, who trying the matter on Monday, directed all parties to maintain the status quo until the case is determined. The court fixed September 29 for judgment.
The legal challenge stems from the dismissal of members of several state boards, including the Rivers State Services Board, by Mr Ibas shortly after his appointment by President Bola Tinubu in March.
President Tinubu had declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state legislature. In the vacuum that followed, Mr Ibas a retired Chief of Naval Staff was appointed as Sole Administrator and immediately began restructuring various arms of the state’s governance framework.
This included the dissolution of boards and agencies constituted by the suspended governor, and the appointment of replacements. Some of the newly nominated individuals have already been confirmed by the National Assembly, which assumed legislative functions in the state after the suspension of the Rivers House of Assembly.
But the abrupt dismissals have now drawn legal scrutiny. A group of former appointees Goodlife Ben, Amadi Echele, Chimenem Wisdom Jerome, and three others are challenging their removal in court. They argue that Mr Ibas acted outside his powers and that the sackings did not comply with constitutional due process.
In their suit, the claimants listed Mr Ibas, the state’s accountant general, Access Bank, Zenith Bank, and 11 other parties as defendants.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to invalidate the dismissals and restrain Mr Ibas from proceeding with the swearing-in of any new appointees until the matter is resolved.
Justice Onyiri, after hearing submissions from both sides, issued an order halting any further appointments or inaugurations linked to the contested positions, pending final judgment in the case.
The legal tussle adds to the deepening political and institutional uncertainty in Rivers State, where federal intervention in governance continues to spark debate over constitutional boundaries and the rule of law.
