Court Summons Tinubu’s Administrator in Rivers Over LG Administrators Appointments

The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has issued a directive for the Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.), to appear before it and explain why an interim injunction should not be granted to stop the appointment of Sole Administrators for the state’s 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs).

The order, given by Honourable Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed on Monday, April 7, 2025, follows an ex-parte motion filed by the Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative and its Coordinator, Courage Nsirimovu.

The applicants argued that the move to install Sole Administrators in the LGAs threatens democratic governance and violates constitutional principles.

In his ruling, Justice Mohammed emphasised the importance of due process and fairness, instructing the respondent to be served notice and to “show cause” why the interim injunction sought by the applicants should not be granted. The court subsequently adjourned the case to April 14, 2025, for further proceedings and issued a hearing notice.

Counsel for the applicants, A. O. Imiete, urged the court to consider the reliefs sought, presenting a written address supporting the motion. Notably, the respondent was absent during the court session.

It will be recalled that Ibas appointed administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of the state—less than 24 hours after a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt reportedly barred him from doing so.

Ibas, appointed by President Bola Tinubu last month, also approved the reconstitution of boards for various state agencies, commissions, and parastatals that were previously suspended.

The appointments and approvals were announced on Wednesday via a Special Government Announcement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika. According to the statement, the appointments take immediate effect from Monday, April 7, 2025.

This decision directly defies an interim order issued Tuesday by Justice Adam Muhammed of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt in suit No. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025. The PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative filed the suit, led by civic advocate Courage Msirimovu, challenging the legality of the appointments.

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