The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has approved the appointment of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state, despite a recent court order restraining him from doing so.
This move, announced on Wednesday through a Special Government Announcement signed by Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika, comes less than 24 hours after a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, presided over by Justice Adam Muhammed, issued a restraining order against the appointments.
The order was issued by Justice Adam Muhammed on Tuesday in suit no. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025 in the case filed by PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative led by Courage Msirimovu against the Sole Administrator in his official capacity.
Despite the court order, Ibas also approved the constitution of some boards of agencies, commissions and parastatals which he had earlier suspended
The approval was contained in a Special Government Announcement issued on Wednesday morning by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika.
Though the names of the new appointees were not listed, the statement said the appointments takes immediate effect.
It reads, “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.”
Last week, the sole administrator had suspended all heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state with immediate effect
In a separate development, Ibas also cancelled all pending procurement and tender processes carried out by Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state.
He said the cancellation became necessary following the Supreme Court judgment and the absence of an appropriation law within the period.