COURT STOPS RIVERS ADMINISTRATOR FROM SWEARING IN NEW CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF RIVERS CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

Court takes action on Rivers administrator, Ibas

The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has stopped Sole Administrator Ibok-Ete Ibas from swearing in the newly confirmed Chairman and members of the Rivers State Service Commission.

This temporary restriction will remain until the court gives its final ruling on an ongoing legal case.

The legal action was brought by Goodlife Ben, Amadi Echele, Chimenem Jerome, and three others.

They were earlier appointed to the commission by the suspended governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

They are now challenging their removal and the planned replacement under Ibas.

During a recent court session, both parties presented and adopted their written arguments.

After hearing them, Justice Frank Onyiri ordered that the current arrangement be maintained and adjourned the matter to September 29, 2025, for judgment.

The claimants argue that their appointments were valid, having been confirmed by the State House of Assembly before the governor issued them letters.

They also claim that official confirmation records are with the House Clerk. They maintain that Ibas has no legal right to suspend or replace them.

The case lists Ibas, the Accountant-General, Access Bank, Zenith Bank, and eleven others as defendants.