A legal challenge against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to release Rivers State funds to the military-appointed sole administrator has taken a dramatic turn with the sudden transfer of the case from the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt to Abuja, a move that has drawn criticism for its lack of transparency.
The suit, FHC/PHC/43/2025, was filed by The Incorporated Trustees of the Rivers Bridge Peace Initiative, a Rivers-based civil society organization led by Rufus Oba. Represented by Port Harcourt-based lawyer Clifford N. Chuku, Esq., the group is challenging the constitutionality of Tinubu’s action, describing it as a violation of the Supreme Court’s ruling on the administration of state finances.
The case was originally assigned to Justice A.T. Mohammed of Court 5, Federal High Court, Port Harcourt. However, to the shock of the claimants, they arrived for proceedings only to be informed verbally by a court clerk that the matter had been transferred to the Federal High Court in Abuja.
“No reasons were given. We haven’t received any official communication, which is standard procedure,” said Oba in an interview. “No Abuja court has even been assigned the matter yet.”
The next hearing, originally fixed for Port Harcourt, has now been rescheduled in Abuja, but no formal hearing notice has been issued to confirm whether it will proceed as expected on Monday, May 26, 2025.
At the core of the suit is the alleged unconstitutional disbursement of state funds to Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd.), appointed as sole administrator of Rivers State amid the ongoing political crisis. The plaintiffs argue that only a duly elected governor, operating with a passed and approved budget from the Rivers State House of Assembly, is legally empowered to receive and disburse state allocations.
The suit names several high-profile defendants, including:
Legal observers note the stark contrast in legal firepower. Vice Admiral Ibas is represented by a team of 21 lawyers, including several Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) such as Chief Akin Olujinmi, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, Tijani Gazali, and Babatunde Ogala, all based outside Rivers State.
The Central Bank of Nigeria has also retained a high-powered team led by Sam T. Ologunorisa, SAN, and Moses A. Ebute, SAN.
The unexpected transfer of the case to Abuja has raised fresh questions about judicial transparency, forum shopping, and access to justice, especially for local litigants facing off against the federal government and its appointees.
For many observers, the unfolding drama is shaping into a classic David versus Goliath legal battle, now elevated to the national stage.
With no court in Abuja yet officially assigned to hear the matter, and no hearing notice issued as of press time.