Ibas Defies Court Order, Appoints Administrators For Rivers LGAs

Despite an order of the Federal High Court restraining him from doing so, the sole administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has appointed administrators for the 23 local government areas in the state.

Justice Adamu Tukaki Muhammed of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt had barred Ibas from appointing sole administrators to run the 23 local government council areas in the state.

But, the state government, had in a statement issued on Wednesday morning, announced the approval of the retired Chief of Naval Staff, for the appointment of the LGA sole administrators.

The statement, which was signed by the secretary to the state government, Professor Ibiba Worika, also announced the reconstitution of some boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals that were earlier suspended by the sole administrator.

It reads in part: “His Excellency The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, has approved the appointments of Administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State.

“He has also approved the reconstitution of some Boards of Agencies, Commissions, and Parastatals, earlier suspended.

“All appointments take effect from Monday, the 7th of April 2025.”

A rights group, the Plex Centre for Civic Education Initiative, had on March 28, 2025, filed a suit with the No FHC/ PH/ CS/46/2025, praying the court for reliefs, top of which is an order of interim injunction restraining the sole administrator or his agents from appointing the sole administrator or whatever name called for the 23 local government areas.

The group also prayed for any other order deemed necessary in the circumstance.

Consequently, the judge stated that he found the prayers by the petitioner valid to grant and fixed April 14,2025 for hearing.