Court asked to remove Rivers Sole Administrator appointed by President Tinubu
Court asked to remove Rivers Sole Administrator appointed by President Tinubu
The Federal High Court in Abuja has been called upon to remove the recently appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd), from his position.
In a legal suit filed on Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu is named as the first defendant, while Vice Admiral Ibas (rtd), along with the Attorneys-General of all 36 states, are listed as the second through thirty-ninth defendants.
The case, registered under the number FHC/ABJ/CS/572/2025, was brought before the court by Mr. Johnmary Jideobi, an Abuja-based lawyer.
The plaintiff is seeking the court to declare as void any actions or decisions made by Vice Admiral Ibas in his capacity as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, arguing that these actions are unconstitutional and without legal force across the country.
Additionally, the plaintiff is requesting a perpetual injunction to prevent President Tinubu, or anyone acting under his direction, from interfering with the tenure of elected Governors and Deputy Governors in Rivers State, and by extension, any other state in Nigeria.
In the originating summons filed with the support of a team of lawyers led by Mr. Chimezie Enuka, the plaintiff seeks the court’s determination on whether, under the provisions of sections 1, 5(2), 180, 188, 189, 305, and 306 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the President has any constitutional power to remove, suspend, or alter the tenure of an elected Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State (or any other state in Nigeria), or appoint a Sole Administrator, as was done with Vice Admiral Ibas.
Should the court agree with the plaintiff’s arguments, it is asked to declare that the only valid circumstances under the Constitution for removing or disrupting the tenure of an elected Governor or Deputy Governor are those outlined in sections 180, 188, 189, and 306.
The plaintiff also seeks a declaration affirming that the President has no constitutional authority to appoint a Sole Administrator or any substitute for an elected Governor or Deputy Governor of a state, as was done with Ibas.
“A declaration of this Honourable Court that the purported suspension of the Governor and the Deputy-Governor of Rivers State of Nigeria by the 1st Defendant on Tuesday the 18th day of March, 2025 is unconstitutional, null and void and of no legal effect whatsoever.
“An order of this Honourable Court setting aside the suspension of the Governor and the Deputy-Governor of Rivers State of Nigeria by the 1st Defendant on Tuesday the 18th day of March, 2025 for being unconstitutional, null and void and of no legal effect whatsoever.
“An order of this Honourable Court setting aside the nomination/appointment and swearing in of Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State of Nigeria by the 1st Defendant.”
