News
Lawyers Ask Court to Sack Rivers Sole Administrator Ibas
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has been asked to sack the recently appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas, rtd.
While President Bola Tinubu was cited as the 1st defendant, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Vice Admiral Ibas, rtd, and Attorneys-General of the 36 states of the federation, were listed as 2nd to 39th defendants in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/572/2025, which was lodged before the court on Tuesday.
The suit, which was filed by an Abuja-based legal practitioner, Mr. Johnmary Jideobi, is equally praying the court to set-aside as void, “all actions and decisions [howsoever described or made] of the 3rd Defendant [Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd)] in the name of Sole Administrator of Rivers State, same being unconstitutional, null and of no constitutional force throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria for all purposes.”
The plaintiff further prayed the court to issue a perpetual order of injunction, restraining the 1st defendant (Tinubu, either by himself, his officers, agents, privies, servants or any other person acting under his command howsoever named, “from either removing, suspending or otherwise tampering with the tenure of the Governor and Deputy-Governor of Rivers State [and indeed any other State in Nigeria].”
As well as an order of perpetual injunction, barring President Tinubu, “either by himself, his officers, agents, privies, servants or any other person acting under his command howsoever named, from appointing any Sole Administrator into any State Government House in the thirty (36) of the Federation for any purpose whatsoever.”
In the Originating Summons he filed through a consortium of lawyers led by Mr. Chimezie Enuka, the plaintiff prayed the court to determine:
“Whether in view of the combined provisions of the entirety of Sections 1, 5(2), 180, 188, 189, 305 and 306 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and their conflated interpretation, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria [1st Defendant herein] has any constitutional authority [whatsoever] to either remove, suspend or otherwise tamper with the tenure of the duly elected Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State [and indeed of any other State in Nigeria] and appoint a sole Administrator [or any other substitute howsoever called or described] such as the 3rd Defendant for that State?”
Upon the determination of the question, he prayed the court to declare that upon an intimate reading and complete understanding of the entirety of section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, there is NO other circumstance contemplated by the Constitution for the removal OR interruption of the tenure of an elected Governor and Deputy Governor of a State EXCEPT the circumstances contemplated under Sections 180, 188, 189 and 306 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
“A declaration of this Honorable Court that in view of the entirety 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 the Federal Republic of Nigeria has NO constitutional authority to either remove, suspend or otherwise tamper with the tenure of a duly elected Governor and Deputy Governor of a State and appoint a sole Administrator [or any other substitute howsoever called or described] such as the 3rd Defendant herein for that State.
“A declaration of this Honourable Court that the purported suspension of the Governor and the Deputy-Governor of Rivers State of Nigeria by the 1st Defendant on Tuesday the 18th day of March, 2025 is unconstitutional, null and void and of no legal effect whatsoever.“
An order of this Honourable Court setting aside the suspension of the Governor and the Deputy-Governor of Rivers State of Nigeria by the 1st Defendant on Tuesday the 18th day of March, 2025, for being unconstitutional, null and void and of no legal effect whatsoever.“An order of this Honourable Court setting aside the nomination/appointment and swearing in of Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State of Nigeria by the 1st Defendant.”
Likewise, “An order of this Honourable Court directing Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) [the 3rd defendant herein] to vacate, forthwith, the Government House of Rivers State of Nigeria.”
In a 32-paragraphed affidavit he deposed in support of the suit, the plaintiff maintained that though President Tinubu has the constitutional power to declare a state of emergency in deserving circumstances in any part of the federation, he does not have the power to suspend elected officials like a governor who is not his appointee.“
As a Nigerian Lawyer and all through my years of practice, I have never seen the word ‘Sole Administrator’ in the amended 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I know that neither the 1st Defendant nor the 2nd Defendant appointed the Governor and Deputy-Governor of Rivers State of Nigeria and that no Governor or Deputy Governor in Nigeria is an appointee of the 1st and 2nd Defendants.
“I know that Nigeria practices Federalism, hinged on the separation of powers.“
I have instituted this suit in the public interest, in the defence of the Rule of Law and accentuation of the supremacy of the Constitution and to preserve the integrity of the Nigerian Constitution, which is the most sacred document that holds the Nigerian State in balance and in being.“
I am genuinely worried that, in the absence of the intervention of this Court, removal of duly elected Governors and Deputy-Governors may become the pastime of the President, thereby opening the floodgate of anarchy capable of consuming this nation.
“It will be in the interest of justice for this Honourable Court to grant the prayers contained on the face of this Originating Summons,” the plaintiff averred.
Meanwhile, no date has been fixed for the matter to be heard.
………..Judge Advises Kanu to Consult Expert on Criminal Law
The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has declined to open his defence in his ongoing trial, insisting that the Federal Government has no valid charges against him.
At Monday’s proceedings before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Kanu informed the court that, after finally receiving and reviewing his case file, he found no basis for the charges brought against him. He therefore requested one week to file a written address instead of calling witnesses as earlier planned.
However, lead prosecutor Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, strongly objected to the request, noting that the court had already granted the defendant six days to conclude his defence—two of which had elapsed. Awomolo argued that Kanu was fully aware of the charges since his plea was taken and witnesses were cross-examined, stressing that the matter could not be allowed to drag indefinitely.
The prosecution urged the court to deem Kanu’s refusal to open his defence as a conclusion of the case and to proceed to judgment.
Justice Omotosho cautioned Kanu about the risks of representing himself, describing him as a “layman” in legal practice and advising him to seek counsel from someone versed in criminal law. The court also reminded him that the issue of his extraordinary rendition from Kenya had already been resolved and was no longer relevant to the current trial.
In the interest of justice, Justice Omotosho granted Kanu’s request and adjourned the case until Tuesday, November 4, for either the opening of his defence or the adoption of his written address on his claim that the Federal Government has no case to answer.
………Vows to Continue Legal and Democratic Struggle
In a significant turn of events, pro-democracy activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, has regained his freedom from prison custody today, October 27, 2025, following his controversial detention by police officers last Friday.
Sowore’s arrest came under contentious circumstances — despite being granted bail by a competent court, he was allegedly forcibly removed from the court premises and transferred to prison custody. The incident, which sparked nationwide outrage, was widely condemned by human rights organizations, civil society groups, and media practitioners as a blatant violation of due process and an affront to judicial authority.
In a statement released shortly after his release, Sowore’s lawyer, Tope Temokun, Esq., described the development as a victory for justice and constitutional order. “The court spoke. The Constitution spoke. Today, freedom has spoken!” he said. Temokun praised Nigerians who stood in solidarity throughout the ordeal, emphasizing that the widespread public pressure and persistent advocacy played a key role in ensuring Sowore’s eventual release.
“The resilience of Nigerians, civil society organizations, and media advocates in the face of tyranny is commendable,” Temokun continued. “This moment reminds us that the rule of law can still prevail when citizens refuse to remain silent.”
However, he also cautioned that Sowore’s legal troubles are not yet over. “The struggle is not over. The charges remain in court, and we will continue to confront them with the full force of law and truth,” the lawyer added, reaffirming the legal team’s commitment to defending Sowore’s rights and ensuring that justice is served.
Sowore, a long-time advocate for democratic reforms and government accountability, has faced multiple arrests and prosecutions in recent years over his activism and outspoken criticism of government policies. His most recent detention reignited debates over the shrinking civic space, press freedom, and the misuse of state power to silence dissenting voices in Nigeria.
In concluding remarks, Temokun issued a powerful reminder about the broader implications of Sowore’s case: “Nigeria must never become a country where our voice becomes our crime.”
Sowore’s release has since attracted widespread reactions across social media and from the international community, with many calling for renewed commitment to judicial independence, human rights, and the protection of civic freedoms.
As the legal proceedings continue, many observers see Sowore’s case as a litmus test for Nigeria’s democracy and its adherence to the rule of law in an increasingly challenging political climate.
News
60 Million Nigerians Engage Daily in Gambling Activities
Agama raised concerns over the alarmingly low participation of Nigerians in the traditional capital market, revealing that fewer than 4 per cent of the country’s adult population are active investors.
•SEC DG, Dr. Emomotimi Agama.
More than 60 million Nigerians engaged daily in gambling activities, spending an estimated $5.5 million every day.
This was disclosed by the Director-General of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama.
Agama made the revelation in a lead paper, titled “Evaluating the Nigerian Capital Market Master plan 2015-2025,” presented during the annual conference of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers.
He said, “This reveals a paradox, a risk appetite clearly exists, but not the trust or access to channel that energy into productive investment.”
He disclosed that over $50 billion worth of cryptocurrency transactions flowed through Nigeria between July 2023 and June 2024, underscoring the sophistication and risk tolerance of investors that the traditional market has yet to capture.
Agama raised concerns over the alarmingly low participation of Nigerians in the traditional capital market, revealing that fewer than 4 per cent of the country’s adult population are active investors.
He described the low participation rate as a major impediment to economic growth and capital formation.
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