Federal High Court Bars Rivers Administrator from Appointing Administrator for 23 Councils

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, has barred the Sole Administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, from appointing Sole Administrators to oversee the 23 local government areas in the state.

Justice Adamu Turaki Muhammed gave the order following a motion ex parte filed by PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative, led by Courage Msirimovu, challenging the decision to appoint Sole Administrators to manage the local government councils for a period of six months.

During the hearing, the court noted that the motion ex parte was filed on March 28, 2025.

The applicants sought several reliefs, including an interim injunction restraining the respondent (Ibas) or his agents from appointing Sole Administrators—or persons under any other title—to the 23 councils.

They also requested any other order the court deemed appropriate under the circumstances.

Granting the application, Justice Turaki said he found sufficient grounds to do so and adjourned the case until April 14, 2025, for hearing.