The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has ordered the Rivers State Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, to appear before it and justify why an interim injunction should not be issued to stop the appointment of Sole Administrators for the state’s 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The ruling, delivered by Honourable Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed on Monday, April 7, 2025, followed an ex-parte motion filed by the Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative and its Coordinator, Courage Nsirimovu.
The applicants argued that the appointments could undermine democratic processes in the state and sought an injunction to halt the move. Justice Mohammed directed the Rivers State Administrator to “show cause” why the court should not grant the restraining order.
The case, marked FHC/PH/CS/46/2025, has been adjourned to April 14, 2025, for further proceedings. Legal counsel for the applicants, A. O. Imiete, urged the court to grant the reliefs, while the respondent was absent during the hearing.
The controversy over the LGA appointments has heightened political tensions in Rivers State, with observers closely watching the case for its potential implications on local governance and constitutional compliance.
