General Bola Tinubu and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), were conspicuously absent on Thursday when a Federal High Court in Abuja commenced hearing on a suit challenging the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd) as Sole Administrator of Rivers State.
The case, filed by Abuja-based legal practitioner Johnmary Jideobi, is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/572/2025. The suit seeks to nullify all decisions and actions taken by Ibas in his capacity as Sole Administrator, arguing that such an appointment is unconstitutional and without legal merit under the 1999 Constitution.
Justice James Omotosho had earlier fixed April 10 for the hearing. During the session, plaintiff’s counsel, Chimezie Enuka, informed the court that all defendants—except the Attorneys-General of Zamfara and Bauchi States—had been served with court processes and hearing notices.
In light of the absence of key defendants and based on consensus among appearing lawyers, the court adjourned the matter to June 11 and directed fresh hearing notices be served on all defendants.
President Tinubu is listed as the 1st defendant, while the AGF and Attorneys-General of Nigeria’s 36 states are named as 2nd to 39th defendants.
The plaintiff is also seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the President from appointing Sole Administrators for any state in Nigeria, as well as an order nullifying the March 18, 2025 suspension of the Rivers State Governor and Deputy Governor by the President.
Central to the suit is the question of whether, under Sections 1, 5(2), 180, 188, 189, 305, and 306 of the 1999 Constitution, the President has any constitutional authority to interfere with the tenure of duly elected state executives or to impose a Sole Administrator.
The suit asks the court to declare that no circumstance—apart from those expressly provided in the Constitution—permits such a suspension or appointment.
Jideobi is also seeking:
- A declaration that Ibas’ appointment is unconstitutional, null, and void;
- An order for Ibas to vacate the Government House immediately;
- And an order restoring the suspended Governor and Deputy Governor to office.
The legal battle, which has already sparked nationwide interest, could set a landmark precedent on federal interference in state governance.
