A State High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has restrained the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibo-Ete Ibas, from inaugurating political appointees, while it is recalled that some officials appointed by the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara had challenged their removal, arguing that Ibas lacks the power to sack them.
Penpushing reports that the judge, Frank Onyiri, gave the order on Monday, and urged parties in the suit to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the matter,
The retired chief of naval staff, was appointed the sole administrator of the state by President Bola Tinubu in March and also declared a state of emergency as well as suspending the and Governor, his deputy, and the state lawmakers
Penpushing further reports that Ibas, days after assuming office, dissolved boards and agencies constituted by the suspended Governor and appointed new members to replace them.
The record has it that some of the appointees were recently confirmed by the National Assembly, which has taken over the legislative functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly following the suspension of the state legislature by Tinubu.
Penpushing also reports that some members of the dissolved boards, including the Rivers State Services Board, angered by their removal had challenged their sacking in court, describing it as “illegal.”
The claimants which include Goodlife Ben, Amadi Echele, Chimenem Wisdom Jerome, and three others, argued that their removal did not follow due process and that Ibas lacks the power to sack them, with the administrator the accountant general of the state, Access Bank, Zenith Bank, and 11 others as defendants in the suit,
Penpushing reports that the judge after hearing opposing arguments, asked Ibas to hold off on the swearing in of new appointees pending the determination of the case and adjourned the case to September 29, 2025 for judgement.
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