Power Clash Continues! Court Halts Judgment On Rivers LG Leadership Crisis

Federal High Court Adjourns Hearing on Rivers LG Appointment Case to May 22

The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has postponed the hearing of a lawsuit challenging the appointment of Local Government administrators by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd). The case, which seeks to stop Ibas from appointing officials across the 23 LGAs of the state, has now been adjourned to May 22, 2025.

At the resumed sitting on Monday, the claimant, Oyingi Imiete, informed the court that the day’s proceedings were meant for the hearing of a motion for interlocutory injunction. However, he revealed that Ibas had already appointed the LG administrators on April 9, 2025—allegedly after being served with the court’s order and originating processes.

Imiete stated, “The matter came up for the applicant’s motion, but it was withdrawn. A new motion for a mandatory restorative order has been filed, and it is now scheduled for hearing, considering that the respondent’s actions have significantly impacted the subject of the case.”

In response, counsel to the defendant argued that the originating processes were not served until two days after the appointments had been made. He described the appointments as a “completed act” and supported the withdrawal of the initial motion. He also noted that his client had not yet received the new motion, but would respond in due course.

Both parties agreed to proceed with the substantive hearing of the originating summons. The court, while stressing the need to hear all applications regardless of perceived merit, affirmed that the facts of the case remain under the jurisdiction of the court and the parties involved.

Background of the Dispute

The legal action was initiated by the PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative and its coordinator, Courage Nsirimovu. The plaintiffs argue that the appointment of local government administrators by the Sole Administrator is unconstitutional and violates the principles of democratic governance.

On April 7, 2025, Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed had granted an interim injunction restraining Ibas from making such appointments. The judge also ordered Ibas to appear in court to justify why the injunction should not be made permanent.