Rivers high court halts inauguration of new service commission members

A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has issued an order restraining retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Sole Administrator, from inaugurating the newly confirmed chairman and members of the Rivers State Services Commission.

The interim injunction, granted by Justice Frank Onyiri, is pending the court’s final judgment in a suit challenging the suspension of the commission’s previous members.

The suit was filed by Rev. Goodlife Iduoku Ben, the suspended Chairman, along with commission members Amadi Christian Echele, Chimenem Wisdom Jerome, and three others, who were appointed by suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The claimants are contesting their removal, which they describe as unlawful and lacking due process, arguing that their appointments were duly confirmed by the Rivers State House of Assembly with records lodged with the House Clerk prior to receiving their appointment letters.

In an affidavit, Rev. Ben asserted that the Sole Administrator lacks the legal authority to suspend them or appoint new commission members.

The defendants in the case include Ibas, the state’s Accountant General, Access Bank, Zenith Bank, and eleven others.

Justice Onyiri, who had previously ordered all parties to maintain the status quo in April 2024, adjourned the matter for judgment, scheduling the ruling for September 29, 2025, after all parties adopted their final written addresses.