Confusion in Rivers as Court Denies Issuing Injunction on Services Commission Inauguration

Conflicting reports have emerged over an alleged court order said to have restrained the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, from inaugurating the newly confirmed chairman and members of the Rivers State Services Commission.

According to earlier claims, a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt had allegedly issued the restraining order on the grounds that the matter was still pending before the court and awaiting judgment.

However, the Rivers State Judiciary has officially denied that any such injunction was issued by Justice Frank Onyiri or any other judge of the High Court. In a statement signed by the Deputy Chief Registrar (Litigation), Menenen Poromon, the judiciary described the circulating report as “malicious, mendacious, and bereft of any modicum of truth.”

The statement urged members of the public to verify any information concerning the High Court of Rivers State through the office of the Chief Registrar, warning against the spread of misinformation, particularly through social media platforms.

The dispute stems from an ongoing legal battle initiated by Rev. Goodlife Iduoku Ben, Amadi Christian Echele, Chimenem Wisdom Jerome, and three others. The claimants are the former Chairman and members of the Rivers State Services Commission, who were appointed by suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and later suspended by the Sole Administrator.

In their suit, the claimants argue that their suspension was unlawful, as they were duly appointed and confirmed by the Rivers State House of Assembly. They further contend that the Sole Administrator lacks the constitutional authority to suspend or replace them.

Justice Onyiri, who is presiding over the case, had previously ordered all parties to maintain the status quo as of April 2025. The matter was adjourned until September 29, 2025, for judgment, following the adoption of final written addresses by the parties involved.

While earlier reports claimed the court issued a fresh order blocking the inauguration of newly confirmed commission members, the judiciary has now clarified that no such order was given, adding another layer of controversy to the ongoing political and legal tension in the state.

As the situation develops, stakeholders continue to await the court’s final ruling, even as questions grow over the legality of actions taken by the Sole Administrator in the absence of an elected governor.