Civil War In Rivers! Suspended Commission Drags Sole Administrator To Court In Explosive Legal ShowdownA legal battle is currently underway in Rivers State as the suspended chairman and members of the State Civil Service Commission challenge their removal by the sole administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas.
The claimants—Reverend Goodlife Iduoku Ben, Amadi Christian Echele, Chimenim Wisdom Jerome, and three others—have filed a suit, arguing that their suspension was unlawful. They assert that they were duly appointed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and confirmed by the Rivers State House of Assembly, with the Clerk of the House possessing all relevant confirmation documents before they received their appointment letters.
In an affidavit deposed to by Chairman Ben, the suspended officials contend that the sole administrator does not have the legal authority to suspend them or appoint new members to the commission.
At Thursday’s court hearing, the defence team representing the sole administrator—comprising five Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs)—filed a preliminary objection, questioning the jurisdiction of the Rivers State High Court to hear the matter. They argued that under the Emergency Powers Act of 1961 and the Emergency Powers (Jurisdiction) Act of 1962, such disputes fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Supreme Court, now the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
However, the claimants’ legal representatives countered that these laws are outdated and have been rendered inactive under the 1999 Constitution. They cited the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004, which lists the acts as “spent” legislation.
Justice Frank Onyiri adjourned the case to June 17, 2025, for the adoption of all legal processes.
