Rivers Judiciary Denies Court Order Stopping Ibas from Inaugurating State Services Commission

The Rivers State Judiciary has formally dismissed circulating claims suggesting that a State High Court ruling prevented the Sole Administrator of the State, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, from proceeding with the inauguration of the newly confirmed Chairman and members of the Rivers State Services Commission. The judiciary clarified that no such judicial restriction exists while a pending lawsuit is yet to be decided.

On Monday, July 14, 2025, certain reports alleged that Justice Frank Onyiri of the State High Court directed all involved parties to uphold the existing condition—known legally as maintaining the “status quo”—through an April 2024 order. It was further reported that the case was adjourned, with judgment scheduled for September 29, 2025.

The ongoing legal action was initiated by Rev. Goodlife Iduoku Ben, Amadi Christian Echele, Chimenem Wisdom Jerome, and three others. They are challenging what they describe as an unlawful suspension by the Sole Administrator, claiming their removal and replacement bypassed due legal procedure.

The plaintiffs argue that their appointments were properly processed and ratified by the Rivers State House of Assembly. Supporting this, they presented records maintained by the Clerk of the House that confirm their formal approval prior to the issuance of their appointment letters by the Governor.

In an affidavit sworn by the suspended Chairman, Rev. Ben, the aggrieved parties insist that Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas lacks any constitutional authority to suspend or replace them with new appointees in the commission.

The case lists several defendants, including the Sole Administrator himself, the Rivers State Accountant General, Access Bank, Zenith Bank, and eleven additional entities.

However, the Rivers State Judiciary released a disclaimer dated July 14, 2025, repudiating the accuracy of these circulating reports. The judiciary described the news as both misleading and baseless, asserting that no injunction was issued by Justice Frank Onyiri that would bar the Sole Administrator from proceeding with the commission’s inauguration.

This clarification was provided in a statement signed by Menenen Poromon, the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Rivers State Judiciary. The judiciary urged the public to disregard the misinformation being widely shared on social media and other platforms.

The official statement partially reads:

“Our attention has been drawn to a false news report being circulated on social media alleging that Hon. Justice Frank Onyiri of the Rivers State High Court issued an injunction restraining the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd.), from inaugurating the newly confirmed Chairman and Members of the ‘Rivers State Services Commission’ pending the court’s decision on the ongoing suit.”

Nevertheless, LMSINT MEDIA emphasizes that the court had indeed instructed all parties to maintain the current state of affairs until the matter is fully adjudicated.

This has ignited public discourse on the legal interpretation of “maintaining status quo,” with citizens expressing diverse opinions on the implications of such a court directive within the context of an ongoing legal process.