Drama In Rivers! Judiciary Denies Ties To Ibas’ Appointment Stalemate

The Rivers State Judiciary has firmly refuted social media reports alleging that Justice Frank Onyiri of the Rivers State High Court issued an injunction preventing the Sole Administrator of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), from swearing in the commission’s newly confirmed chairman and members.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by Deputy Chief Registrar (Litigation), Menenen Poromon, the court dismissed the claim as “malicious, false, and entirely devoid of truth.”

The statement read:
“Our attention has been drawn to a fabricated report circulating on social media, alleging that Hon. Justice Frank Onyiri has issued an order restraining Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.), the Sole Administrator, from inaugurating the newly confirmed chairman and members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission, pending the resolution of a lawsuit.

“This claim is entirely false and misleading, as no such order has been issued by Hon. Justice Frank Onyiri or any other judge of the Rivers State High Court.

“We advise the public to disregard the false information and to verify any claims related to the court from the office of the Chief Registrar of the Rivers State High Court.”

Earlier, some reports had suggested that the High Court in Port Harcourt had issued a temporary order halting Ibas from going ahead with the inaugurations, pending the court’s final decision on a legal challenge related to the appointments.

Those reports claimed that Justice Frank Onyiri gave the directive after final written arguments were submitted, ordering all parties to maintain the current state of affairs until the court delivers its ruling on September 29, 2025.