Tension In Rivers! Court Adjourns Crucial Hearing On LG Sole Administrator Appointments

The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has postponed the hearing of a lawsuit aimed at halting the appointment of administrators by Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas, across the state’s 23 Local Government Areas. The hearing has been rescheduled for May 22, 2025.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

During the resumed hearing on Monday, claimant Oyingi Imiete informed the court that the session was intended to address a motion for an interlocutory injunction. However, Imiete revealed that Ibas had already made the appointments on April 9, 2025, allegedly after receiving the court’s order and initial documents pertaining to the case.

“The matter was up for motion, but the applicant withdrew the motion,” Imiete stated, adding that a new motion for a mandatory restorative order had been filed and would be heard, as the actions of the defendant had significantly impacted the matter before the court.

The defendant’s legal representative countered by stating that the originating documents had not been served until two days after the appointments were made. He agreed with the claimant’s decision to withdraw the motion, calling the appointments a “completed act.”

The counsel further noted that his client had not yet received the new motion but would respond when properly served. Both parties agreed to move forward with the substantive hearing of the originating summons.

The court affirmed that, regardless of any perceived frivolity, all applications must be addressed and reiterated that the facts and issues in the case remain under the jurisdiction of the parties involved.

Background of the Legal Dispute

The suit, filed by the PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative and its coordinator, Courage Nsirimovu, seeks to prevent Ibas from making what they argue are unconstitutional appointments that undermine democratic governance principles. On April 7, 2025, Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed granted an interim injunction halting the appointments, and also summoned Ibas to appear before the court to explain why the injunction should not be made permanent.