A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has barred the Sole Administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (rtd), from inaugurating the newly appointed and confirmed Chairman and members of the Rivers State Services Commission.
The court ordered the state to postpone the inauguration of its appointees pending the outcome of a lawsuit challenging the appointments.
Presiding Judge Justice Frank Onyiri issued the order on Monday, July 14, after hearing and considering final written addresses in a suit filed by the Chairman and members of the Rivers State Services Commission, who were originally appointed by the suspended governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
The aggrieved, sacked members had approached the court to challenge their suspension by Ibas.
Justice Onyiri directed all parties to maintain the status quo and adjourned the matter until September 29 for judgment.
The claimants—Reverend Goodlife Iduoku Ben, Amadi Christian Echele, Chimenem Wisdom Jerome, and three others—are contesting their removal, describing it as illegal.
They argue that Ibas dismissed them without following due process and that he lacks legal authority to remove them from office.
The claimants maintain that they were legally appointed and confirmed by the Rivers State House of Assembly. Before receiving their appointment letters from the Governor, their confirmation records were already with the Clerk of the House.
In an affidavit signed by the suspended Chairman, Goodlife Iduoku Ben, the claimants insist that the Sole Administrator does not have the legal power to suspend them or appoint new commission members.
