Since his controversial appointment as Sole Administrator of Rivers State on March 18, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) has been the subject of intense legal and civil opposition, with at least six major lawsuits filed against him. The suits, instituted by civil society groups, legal practitioners, concerned residents, and a coalition of seven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, challenge both the legality of his appointment and the constitutionality of his subsequent actions.
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Mounting Legal Pressure
Among the most prominent legal challenges is one filed by the former Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Marshal Stanley-Uwom, who has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an order to stop the federal government from releasing funds meant for local government councils to the sole administrator.
Through his counsel, Sylvester Evbuomwan, Stanley-Uwom argues that the appointment of unelected officials to manage local government affairs violates Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution and existing Supreme Court judgments. He also urged the court to compel Ibas to vacate his post and restore governance to the democratically elected Governor of Rivers State. The case (FHC/ABJ/CS/797/2025) awaits a hearing date.
Civil Society Fights Back
In Port Harcourt, a civil society organisation, PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative, led by Courage Nsirimovu, secured an interim injunction from the Federal High Court barring Ibas from appointing caretaker chairmen for the state’s 23 local government areas. However, Ibas defied the court order and proceeded with the appointments on April 8, announcing that they would take effect immediately.
Despite the defiance, the court, presided over by Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed, has adjourned the matter to May 22 for further proceedings, including the consideration of a motion for interlocutory injunction.
Rivers Residents Demand Nullification
Three Rivers residents — Yirbari Israel Nulog, Nengim Ikpoemugh Royal, and Gracious Eyoh-Sifumbukho — also filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, asking the court to nullify Ibas’ appointment and bar him from functioning as sole administrator. Represented by human rights lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, the plaintiffs argue that under sections 1(1), 1(2), and 176(1)-(2) of the Constitution, Rivers State must be governed by a democratically elected executive.
The case has been adjourned to May 21 by Justice James Omotosho.
Lawyer Seeks Total Nullification of Ibas’ Actions
An Abuja-based legal practitioner, Johnmary Jideobi, has filed a far-reaching suit seeking to void all actions and decisions taken by Ibas since his appointment. He is also urging the court to issue a perpetual injunction preventing President Bola Tinubu from ever appointing a sole administrator in any state in Nigeria.
In his suit, Jideobi joined Tinubu, Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the 36 state governments as defendants. His counsel, Chimezie Enuka, informed the court that most parties had been served, though a few state attorneys-general were yet to respond. The case was adjourned to June 11.
PDP Governors Challenge Emergency Declaration at Supreme Court
In a related development, seven PDP governors from Bauchi, Adamawa, Bayelsa, Enugu, Osun, Plateau, and Zamfara states have approached the Supreme Court seeking to declare President Tinubu’s proclamation of emergency rule in Rivers State unconstitutional.
The governors argue that the president lacks the constitutional authority under Section 305(5) to suspend the state governor, deputy governor, and the House of Assembly, while installing a sole administrator.
No date has been fixed yet for the hearing of the case.
Advocacy Group Files Four Suits Against Ibas
A professional advocacy group, Professionals for Responsive and Efficient Governance (PREG), has filed four separate lawsuits at the Port Harcourt High Court, challenging the legality of Ibas’ actions, including:
- PHC/1431/CS/2025 – Against the appointment of local government sole administrators.
- PHC/1434/CS/2025 – Against the dissolution of the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission.
- PHC/1437/CS/2025 – Against the reconstitution of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.
- PHC/1440/CS/2025 – Against the overhaul of the Civil Service Commission.
At a press briefing, PREG Convener Soseipiriye Long Williams declared the lawsuits a necessary defence of democratic institutions, calling Ibas’ tenure a “flagrant abuse of executive power.”
Legal experts have raised concerns about the apparent delay in the adjudication of these constitutional and politically sensitive cases. Senior Advocate of Nigeria Abeny Mohammed described the slow pace as detrimental to public interest, while Hameed Ajibola Jimoh lamented the politicisation of judicial proceedings.
Lawyer Ego M.D. Umukoro urged citizens to respect the final verdicts of the courts but also called on the federal government to pursue a political solution to ease tensions and restore normalcy.
“There must be a political solution. The President should lead in resolving the crisis rather than letting it drag through bitter court battles,” Umukoro said.
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