posted 11th April 2025
Court Adjourns Hearing on Suit Challenging Rivers State Administrator Appointment
Abuja, 11 April 2025 – A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned a hearing challenging the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as Sole Administrator of Rivers State until 11 June, following the absence of President Bola Tinubu and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, at the proceedings on Thursday.
The suit, filed by Abuja-based legal practitioner Mr Johnmary Jideobi, seeks to declare the appointment of Ibas unconstitutional and void. It also demands that all actions and decisions taken by Ibas in his capacity as Sole Administrator be set aside, arguing they lack constitutional authority across Nigeria.
Justice James Omotosho, who fixed 10 April for the hearing last week, was informed by the plaintiff’s counsel, Mr Chimezie Enuka, that all defendants—except the Attorneys-General of Zamfara and Bauchi States—had been duly served with the originating processes and hearing notices. However, neither President Tinubu, listed as the first defendant, nor the AGF appeared in court or sent representatives.
The plaintiff’s suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/572/2025, includes the AGF and the Attorneys-General of Nigeria’s 36 states as the second to 39th defendants. Among the reliefs sought is a perpetual injunction to bar President Tinubu from appointing sole administrators to any state government in Nigeria. The plaintiff also requests the court to restrain the President from removing, suspending, or interfering with the tenure of Rivers State’s Governor and Deputy Governor—or those of any other state.
Further, the suit challenges the alleged suspension of Rivers State’s Governor and Deputy Governor by President Tinubu on 18 March 2025, calling it unconstitutional. It seeks an order to set aside Ibas’s appointment and compel him to vacate the Government House of Rivers State immediately.
Citing sections of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the plaintiff argues that the President lacks the authority to tamper with the tenure of elected state officials or appoint a sole administrator, except under specific circumstances outlined in the Constitution.
With all lawyers present agreeing to the postponement, Justice Omotosho ordered fresh hearing notices to be served on all defendants ahead of the June hearing.
