Fed High Court fixes April 14 on suit seeking order to stop appointment of LGA sole administrators

… Did not debar Sole Administrator yet

A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has fixed April 14, 2025, to hear why it should debar the Rivers State Sole Administrator from appointing Sole Administrators to run the 23 local council areas in the state.

The order inviting the Sole Administrator was issued on April 8, 2025, though it was approved on April 7, 2025. The order was issued by the Justice, Adamu Turaki Muhammed in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025 in the case filed by PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative led by Courage Msirimovu against the Sole Administrator (Ibok Ekwe Ibas) in his official capacity.

The Court stated that the motion exparte was filed on March 28, 2025 praying the court for many reliefs first of which is an order of interim injunction restraining the respondent or his agents from appointing the Sole Administrator or whatever name called for the 23 LGAs. They also prayed for any other order deemed necessary in the circumstance.

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The justice ordered as follows: “I am of the view that it will serve the interest of Justice to order the Applicant to put the Respondent on notice to appear and show cause why the application should not be granted. Case is adjourned to 14th of April, 2025, for hearing”.

It was dated April 7, 2025, but stamped and issued April 8, 2025, by M.S. Hassan, registrar.

This is contrary to widespread reports that the Justice had granted the interim order sought to debar the Sole Administrator. The justice is yet to grant the order but the Sole Administrator has appointed the Sole Administrators.

This seems to have thrown more confusion in the state on the legal status of the appointments as many groups have reacted.