A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has barred the Sole Administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd), from inaugurating newly appointed members of the Rivers State Services Commission, pending the determination of a legal dispute over the appointments.

Naijaonpoint reports that Justice Frank Onyiri issued the restraining order on Monday after all parties in the suit adopted their final written addresses. He directed that status quo be maintained until judgment is delivered on September 29, 2025.

The case was filed by the suspended Chairman of the Commission, Reverend Goodlife Iduoku Ben, alongside Amadi Christian Echele, Chimenem Wisdom Jerome, and three other members who were appointed by the embattled state governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.

The claimants are challenging what they described as their “illegal removal” by the state’s Sole Administrator, insisting that due process was not followed.

They argue that Vice Admiral Ibas lacks the legal authority to remove or replace them, stressing that their appointments were duly confirmed by the Rivers State House of Assembly, and that confirmation records exist with the Clerk of the House.

In an affidavit deposed by the suspended Chairman, Goodlife Iduoku Ben, the group maintained that they had already received official letters of appointment before being abruptly sacked.

The claimants are asking the court to nullify their suspension and restrain Ibas from swearing in any new commission members.

They insist that the position of a sole administrator is not backed by law and that the actions taken so far infringe on the principle of separation of powers.

The suit names Vice Admiral Ibas, the Accountant-General of the state, as well as Access Bank, Zenith Bank, and 11 other parties as defendants.