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Lawyers Ask Court to Sack Rivers Sole Administrator Ibas

Published

10 months ago

March 25, 2025

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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.

Related Topics:Featured Rivers Sole Administrator Ibas

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Awujale Succession Crisis: Ogun Govt Suspends Selection Process

Hon. Hamzat added that the decision was taken proactively to prevent any breakdown of law and order and to ensure that the eventual emergence of a new Awujale follows due process acceptable to all stakeholders.

Published

31 minutes ago

January 21, 2026

OCHEFA

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The Ogun State Government has again suspended the ongoing process for the selection of a new Awujale of Ijebuland.

In a statement issued on behalf of the State government, the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, said the decision became necessary following several complaints and intelligence reports received from security agencies and other key stakeholders involved in the selection process.

The government described the Awujale stool as one of the foremost and most prestigious traditional institutions in Yorubaland and Ogun State, noting that the stature of the immediate past Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who reigned for 65 years, further elevated the global prestige and reverence of the throne.

According to the commissioner, the prominence of the stool and the legacy of the late monarch have placed intense public attention and scrutiny on the emergence of the next Awujale, making it imperative for the state to act decisively to safeguard public order and uphold the dignity of the institution.

“The State Government has received several petitions, reports from security agencies and other key stakeholders in relation to the ongoing selection process.

In order to maintain public order, protect the integrity of the process and preserve the veneration of the stool, it has become imperative to halt the selection process at this time,” the statement read.

The government explained that its action was backed by the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State, 2021, which empowers the Executive Council to set aside an appointment if it is deemed necessary in the interest of peace, order and good governance.

Consequently, the state government directed that the decision be formally communicated to the Awujale Kingmakers Council and the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

The ruling house was specifically advised to await further directives from the government regarding the continuation of the selection process.

The development has temporarily stalled the succession process to the highly respected Awujale throne, as the government reviews the situation to ensure a peaceful, transparent and credible outcome.

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Governor Sanwo-Olu Approves Recruitments of Additional 150 Firefighters

Adeseye also informed that the newly recruited 150 firefighters, employed in November 2025, have since resumed intensive training at the upgraded Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service Fire Academy.

Published

5 hours ago

January 21, 2026

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Photo: LSFRS Controller General, Margaret Adeseye, inspect the parade during the training

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu, has approved the recruitment of an additional 150 able-bodied men and women into the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS), as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen emergency response capacity and enhance public safety across the State.

This was disclosed by the Agency’s Controller General, Margaret Adeseye when she flagged off the LSFRS Squad 23 training exercise in Ikeja, Lagos.

This latest recruitment underscores the present administration’s sustained commitment to building a resilient, well-equipped, and professionally trained fire and rescue service.

It follows earlier landmark recruitments under the Sanwo-Olu-led government, including the engagement of 100 firefighters in 2020, on the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic, to bolster frontline emergency response.

In 2022, the administration recorded the single highest recruitment in the history of Fire Service with the enlistment of 435 firefighters.

Their Passing Out Parade formed part of the week-long Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Service in October 2022.

The milestone event also featured the commissioning of 62 fire apparatuses, the unveiling of new fire stations at Ajegunle, Ebute Elefun and Oba Oniru – Lekki, as well as the commissioning of a purpose-built ultra-modern Headquarters at Alausa, Ikeja.

Adeseye also informed that the newly recruited 150 firefighters, employed in November 2025, have since resumed intensive training at the upgraded Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service Fire Academy.

They are currently undergoing the Professional Basic Firefighting Competency and Short Service Course, designed to mould them into disciplined, highly skilled and operationally efficient emergency responders in line with global best practices.

She concluded that the Lagos State Government remains resolute in its determination to continually invest in human capacity development, modern infrastructure and operational equipment to ensure the safety of lives, property and environment across the State.

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I’m Proudly Nigerian, says Fashola

Former Lagos State Governor and immediate past Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, made the declaration on Tuesday in Abuja during his keynote address at the Nigeria Reputation Summit 2026, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, where he spoke extensively on national identity, migration, patriotism and Nigeria’s global image.

Published

18 hours ago

January 20, 2026

OCHEFA

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” I remain firmly Nigerian by choice, conviction and identity.”

He stressed the need for Nigerians, at home and abroad, to take collective ownership of the country and its problems.

“I don’t think we own Nigeria enough. So, I heard some of our colleagues and our compatriots who, by virtue of the 1999 Constitution, have dual citizenships. But I have only one,” said Fashola.

“And when they talk to me, they say, your country. I say, stop. It’s our country. Your problem is our problem. There must be a common ownership on every platform. If we have common ownership, we will solve it. So, from my childhood experience, I tell people I’m not just a proud Nigerian, I’m an arrogant one. I’m arrogant about my country.“I tell people that I have not received one day’s education outside this country.

All my education was here. So, proudly made in Nigeria. Arrogantly, too. So everything, every inch that we think that we have lost, we can get back if we decide to,” he stated.