Court bans Rivers sole administrator from appointing individuals

Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has barred Ibok-Ete Ibas from appointing individuals to oversee the 23 local government areas in the state.

The court gave this order after a civil group, PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative, led by Courage Msirimovu, took legal steps to challenge Ibas’ decision to place sole administrators in charge of the councils.

The matter came up through a motion ex parte, which was brought before the court on March 28, 2025.

The group asked the court to stop Ibas or anyone acting on his behalf from appointing any person as sole administrator or under any other title to take control of the councils for six months.

After reviewing the request, Justice Adamu Turaki Muhammed agreed that there was enough reason to stop the move temporarily.

He issued an interim order to prevent any appointment of sole administrators for now and scheduled a full hearing on the case for April 14, 2025.

The case adds to the ongoing discussions about governance in Rivers State, especially at the local government level.

Residents and stakeholders are closely watching how this court case will shape leadership in the state’s grassroots administration.