A civil society organization, Initiative for Freedom, Conflict Preservation and Social Integration, has filed a new lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt challenging the legality of the National Assembly's ratification of retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator of Rivers State.
The group specifically questions the constitutional authority of the National Assembly to approve such an appointment and establish a committee overseeing the emergency rule in Rivers State, including its handling of the state's 2025 budget.
Named as defendants in the suit are the Sole Administrator Ibas, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the National Assembly.
Timing of the Legal Challenge
This legal action comes approximately one month after all previous suits related to the state of emergency and the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, and State House of Assembly members were transferred to the Federal High Court in Abuja, in accordance with Order 49 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules.
When the case was presented in court, counsel to the first and second defendants, Ola Faro, requested additional time to respond to the originating summons. The plaintiff did not oppose this request, leading Justice Muhammad Turaki to adjourn the case until July 21, 2025, for hearing.
Seeking Constitutional Clarity
Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, the plaintiff's counsel, Kingdom Chukwuezi, explained that the group is seeking "clarity" on what it describes as an "unconstitutional role taken by the National Assembly in the administration of Rivers State."
BenriNews reports that while no legal representative appeared in court on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, counsel to two of the defendants, Faro, declined to comment on the matter.
The ongoing legal disputes highlight the continuing constitutional tensions surrounding the federal government's intervention in Rivers State governance and the separation of powers between different levels of government.
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