President Bola Tinubu and Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and minister of justice, noticably absent from Thursday’s court proceedings as the Federal High Court in Abuja began hearing the case challenging the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd) as Sole Administrator of Rivers State.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja had last week scheduled April 10 for hearing in the suit filed by M Johnmary Jideobi, an Abuja-based legal practitioner.
The plaintiff, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/572/2025, seeks an order from the court declaring “all actions and decisions made by Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd) as Sole Administrator of Rivers State” as unconstitutional, void, and of no legal effect across the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Read also: Full list: Ibas appoints administrators for 23 Rivers LGAs against court order
Additionally, the plaintiff is requesting an injunction to prevent the first defendant, President Bola Tinubu whether acting personally or through his officers, agents, servants, or any individual under his command—from removing, suspending, or interfering with the tenure of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State, or any other state in Nigeria.
When the matter was called for hearing on Thursday, neither President Tinubu nor the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) was present or represented in court.
Chimezie Enuka, Counsel for the plaintiff, informed the court that all the defendants, except the Attorneys-General of Zamfara and Bauchi States, had been duly served with both the originating processes and the hearing notice.
Following an agreement among all the lawyers present, Justice Omotosho adjourned the case until June 11 for hearing. The court also ordered that fresh hearing notices be served on all the defendants.
In addition to President Tinubu, who is the first defendant, the AGF and the Attorneys-General of all 36 states of the federation are listed as the second to thirty-ninth defendants.
Among the reliefs sought by the plaintiff is a perpetual injunction barring President Tinubu from appointing any Sole Administrator to any State Government House in the 36 states of the Federation for any purpose whatsoever.
In his originating summons, filed through a team of lawyers led by Mr. Enuka, the plaintiff requests the court to determine: “Whether, in light of Sections 1, 5(2), 180, 188, 189, 305, and 306 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, the President of Nigeria (1st Defendant) has any constitutional authority to remove, suspend, or tamper with the tenure of an elected Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State, or any other state, and appoint a sole Administrator (or any substitute) such as the 3rd Defendant for that State.”
The plaintiff further prays that the court declare, upon a thorough interpretation of Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, that there is no provision within the Constitution that allows for the removal or interruption of an elected Governor and Deputy Governor’s tenure, except under the conditions outlined in Sections 180, 188, 189, and 306 of the same Constitution.
Read also: Rivers: Shock as Ibas defies court, appoints administrators in 23 LGAs
Other reliefs the plaintiff is seeking from the court include, an order invalidating the suspension of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State by the 1st Defendant on March 18, 2025, on the grounds of being unconstitutional, null, void, and of no legal effect.
An order declaring the nomination, appointment, and swearing-in of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State by the 1st Defendant as unlawful and void.
As well as, an order requiring Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd) (the 3rd Defendant) to immediately vacate the Government House of Rivers State.
