IBAS DEFIES COURT ORDER, APPOINTS 23 LGA ADMINISTRATORS IN RIVERS STATE
Despite a binding court order, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has appointed administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the state.
Court Injunction Ignored:
The appointments were announced less than 24 hours after the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt barred Ibas from making such appointments. The order, delivered by Justice Adam Muhammed in suit no. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025, came in response to a case filed by the PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative, led by Courage Msirimovu.
Official Statement Released:
The controversial appointments were confirmed in a Special Government Announcement issued Wednesday by Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika.
Immediate Effect:
The statement emphasized that all appointments take immediate effect from Monday, April 7, 2025, raising further concerns over adherence to due process and court directives.
Some of the Appointed LGA Administrators:
Abua/Odual: Mr. Okroiyobi Animete
Ahoada East: Mr. Goodluck M. Iheanacho
Ahoada West: Mr. Promise Jacob
Full list of all 23 appointments was not disclosed in the statement.
Other Controversial Moves:
Boards Reconstituted:
Ibas also reinstated several boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals which had previously been suspended, despite ongoing legal and procedural scrutiny.
MDAs Suspended & Procurement Cancelled:
Last week, Ibas suspended all heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). In another sweeping directive, he cancelled all ongoing procurement and tender processes, citing the absence of an appropriation law and referencing a recent Supreme Court judgment.
Refund Orders:
All MDAs that collected fees from contractors were directed to refund such payments immediately.
Legal and Political Implications:
This latest action by Ibas has sparked concerns about executive overreach and disregard for the rule of law. Legal analysts argue that proceeding with the appointments in defiance of a valid court injunction sets a dangerous precedent for governance and constitutional order in Rivers State.
Meanwhile, civic groups are calling for urgent judicial enforcement and public accountability, warning that the state risks sliding into administrative anarchy if court orders continue to be flouted.
Reference
IBAS DEFIES COURT ORDER, APPOINTS 23 LGA ADMINISTRATORS IN RIVERS STATE