The Rivers State Judiciary has debunked reports circulating on social media claiming that Justice Frank Onyiri of the Rivers State High Court issued an injunction restraining the Sole Administrator of the Rivers State Services Commission, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.), from inaugurating the newly confirmed chairman and members of the commission.
In a statement released on Monday and signed by the Deputy Chief Registrar (Litigation), Menenen Poromon, the High Court described the claim as “malicious, mendacious and bereft of any modicum of truth.”
The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to a fictitious news article circulating in the social media alleging that Hon. Justice Frank Onyiri of the Rivers State High Court has issued an injunction restraining the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas (RTD), from inaugurating the newly confirmed Chairman and Members of the “Rivers State Services Commission” (Sic) pending the determination of a suit on the subject matter before him.
“The said information is malicious, mendacious and bereft of any modicum of truth, as no such order has been made by Hon. Justice Frank Onyiri or any other Judge of the High Court of Rivers State.
“We urge members of the public to completely discountenance the said information, and to verify from the office of the Chief Registrar, High Court of Rivers State, any information concerning the High Court of Rivers State.”
There had been reports earlier in the day that the Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt had barred Ibas from inaugurating newly appointed members of the Rivers State Services Commission, pending the determination of a legal dispute over the appointments.
According to the report, Justice Frank Onyiri issued the restraining order on Monday after all parties in the suit adopted their final written addresses. He directed that the status quo be maintained until judgment is delivered on September 29, 2025.