A civil society organization, Initiative for Freedom, Conflict Preservation and Social Integration, has filed a fresh lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, challenging the legality of the National Assembly’s ratification of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) as Sole Administrator of Rivers State.
In the suit, the group is questioning the constitutional authority of the National Assembly to approve the appointment and form a committee to manage what it describes as a “purported emergency rule” in the state. The suit also contests the Assembly’s role in handling the state’s proposed 2025 budget under the emergency arrangement.
Joined as defendants in the case are the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibas, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the National Assembly.
This legal action follows the recent transfer of all lawsuits related to the political crisis in Rivers State — including the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly — to the Federal High Court in Abuja, in accordance with Order 49 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules.
When the case was mentioned in court, counsel to the first and second defendants, Ola Faro, requested additional time to respond to the originating summons. The plaintiff did not object, and Justice Muhammad Turaki subsequently adjourned the matter to July 21, 2025, for hearing.
Outside the courtroom, the plaintiff’s counsel, Kingdom Chukwuezi, told journalists that the case aims to seek legal clarity on what the group believes is an unconstitutional encroachment by the National Assembly into the governance of Rivers State.
Meanwhile, no legal representation appeared on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, and Faro declined to comment further when approached by the press.
Comments