JUST-IN: Ibas Defies Court Order, Appoints Administrators For 23 Rivers LGAs

Contrary to the order of the Federal High Court, the sole administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), has appointed sole administrators for the 23 local government areas in the state.

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

But, the state government, in a statement issued on Wednesday morning, announced the approval of the retired Chief of Naval Staff for the appointment of the sole administrators for the 23 LGAs in the State.

The statement, which was signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Ibiba Worika, also announced the reconstitution of some boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals that were earlier suspended by the sole administrator.

It read 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.”

LEADERSHIP reports that 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 was an order of interim injunction restraining the Sole Administrator or his agents from appointing sole administrators 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 plaintiff valid to grant the interim order and fixed April 14, 2025, for hearing of the matter.