A High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has ordered the state government to suspend the planned inauguration of new members of the Rivers State Services Commission, pending the outcome of a legal case challenging their appointments.
The court, presided over by Justice Frank Onyiri, issued the ruling on Monday, instructing the parties involved to maintain the status quo until a final judgment is delivered on September 29.
The legal challenge was brought by Reverend Goodlife Iduoku Ben and five others, who were previously appointed as chairman and members of the commission by the suspended governor, Siminalayi Fubara. They are contesting their removal by the state’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (rtd).
In court filings, the claimants argue that their removal was unlawful, stating that they were properly appointed and confirmed by the Rivers State House of Assembly, and that their appointments were documented by the Clerk of the House before being officially approved by the governor.
They further contend that Vice Admiral Ibas, acting as the sole administrator of the state, does not have the legal authority to suspend them or appoint new members to the commission.
Justice Onyiri’s directive came after both parties presented and adopted their final written arguments in court. The judge emphasized that no further action should be taken on the disputed appointments until the court issues its final ruling.
The defendants in the case include the Sole Administrator, the Accountant General of Rivers State, Access Bank, Zenith Bank, and 11 others.
The court’s decision has temporarily put on hold the political tension surrounding appointments within the Rivers State Services Commission, as legal and constitutional questions over governance in the state continue to unfold.