The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has adjourned the hearing of a suit challenging the appointment of local government administrators in Rivers State to May 22, 2025.
The suit, filed by PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative and its coordinator Courage Nsirimovu, seeks to bar Rivers State Sole Administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas, from appointing administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas.
Oyingi Imiete, the claimant, revealed that Ibas had already appointed sole administrators for all 23 LGAs on April 9, 2025, despite a court order.
The court had granted an interim injunction on April 7, barring Ibas from proceeding with the appointments, but the Sole Administrator went ahead to make the appointments.
The defendant’s counsel argued that the originating processes were not served until two days after the appointments, calling the appointments a “completed act”.
Both parties have agreed to proceed with a substantive hearing of the originating summons.
The case adjournment has sparked reactions, with some questioning the legitimacy of the appointments and others supporting the state government’s decision.
The suit was filed to challenge the constitutionality of the appointments, with the plaintiffs arguing that they violate the principles of democratic governance.
Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed had granted the interim injunction, summoning Ibas to appear before the court to explain why the injunction should not be made permanent.
The appointment of sole administrators has drawn criticisms from civil society organizations, who argue that it undermines the democratic process in the state.
The court’s decision on May 22, 2025, will determine the fate of the suit and the legitimacy of the appointments.