The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has summoned Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, to explain why an interim injunction should not be issued to halt the appointment of Sole Administrators for the state’s 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The directive was made by Honourable Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed on Monday, April 7, 2025, following an ex-parte motion filed by the Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative and its Coordinator, Courage Nsirimovu. The applicants are seeking to prevent the state administrator and his agents from proceeding with the appointments, arguing that the move threatens democratic governance in Rivers State.
Justice Mohammed ruled that the respondent must be put on notice and ordered to “show cause” why the interim injunction should not be granted. He emphasized the need for fairness and due process in administrative decisions. A hearing notice was also issued, with the matter adjourned to April 14, 2025, for further proceedings.
Legal counsel for the applicants, A. O. Imiete, urged the court to grant the reliefs sought and formally adopted a written address in support of the motion. The respondent was not present at the hearing.
The suit, marked FHC/PH/CS/46/2025, comes amid a tense political climate in Rivers State, where the decision to appoint Sole Administrators across all LGAs has sparked widespread criticism and legal challenges. The case is being closely watched as it may set a critical precedent on issues of local governance and constitutional adherence.
