A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has struck out a suit filed by the Chairman and members of the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, who were appointed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara but later removed by the former Sole Administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas.
The claimants—Reverend Goodlife Iduoku Ben, Amadi Christian Echele, Chimenem Wisdom Jerome, and three others—had challenged what they described as their unlawful removal and replacement.
However, when the matter came up for judgment on Thursday, their counsel, Kelechi Ubani, informed the court of their decision to discontinue the case, describing it as a “painful decision” made in the interest of peace and progress in the state.
Counsel to the defendants opposed the motion, insisting that the matter should be dismissed rather than struck out.
In his ruling, Justice Frank Onyiri dismissed the objection as baseless and struck out the case under Order 25, Rule 1, but declined to award costs or dismiss the matter as requested by the defendants.
He commended the claimants for their decision to withdraw the matter, describing it as “noble.”
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