A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has restrained the Sole Administrator of the state, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, from inaugurating the recently confirmed Chairman and members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission, pending the final judgment in an ongoing legal dispute.

The presiding judge, Justice Frank Onyiri, issued the order after hearing the final written addresses from both parties in a suit instituted by the previously appointed Chairman and members of the Commission, who were suspended by the Sole Administrator.

The claimants in the suit—Reverend Goodlife Iduoku Ben (Chairman), Amadi Christian Echele, Chimenem Wisdom Jerome, and three others are challenging what they describe as their unlawful suspension and replacement. They argue that they were duly appointed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara before his suspension, and their appointments were properly confirmed by the Rivers State House of Assembly.

According to the affidavit deposed by Reverend Ben, the suspended officials maintain that the Sole Administrator lacks the constitutional authority to suspend or replace them, asserting that a valid confirmation record of their appointments exists with the Clerk of the House.

Justice Onyiri reaffirmed an earlier directive issued in April 2024 for all parties to maintain the status quo, cautioning against any further administrative interference until the matter is resolved.

The case, which lists the Sole Administrator, the Accountant General, Access Bank, Zenith Bank, and eleven others as defendants, has been adjourned to September 29, 2025, for judgment.