Court summons Ibas over Rivers LGA appointments

The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has ordered the Rivers State Administrator to appear before it and explain why an interim injunction should not be granted to stop the appointment of Sole Administrators across the state’s 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs).

The directive was issued on Monday, April 7, 2025, by Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed, following an ex-parte motion filed by the Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative and its Coordinator, Courage Nsirimovu.

In their motion, the applicants raised concerns about the legality of the appointments, arguing that they could erode democratic governance at the grassroots level. They urged the court to halt the process to preserve constitutional integrity and ensure proper representation for the people of Rivers State.

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In his ruling, Justice Mohammed emphasized the need for fairness, ordering the respondent to be put on notice and to “show cause” why the injunction should not be granted.

The court also issued a hearing notice and adjourned the case to April 14, 2025, for further proceedings.

Legal counsel for the applicants, A. O. Imiete, urged the court to grant the reliefs, adopting a written address in support of the motion. The respondent was absent during the hearing.

This development comes amid heightened political tensions in Rivers State, where the appointment of Sole Administrators has sparked debates over local governance and constitutional compliance.

Observers are keenly awaiting the next hearing, which could set a significant precedent for administrative actions in the state.

The case marked FHC/PH/CS/46/2025, continues to draw public attention as stakeholders weigh in on its implications for democracy and the rule of law.