Despite the touted peace deal in Rivers State, some aggrieved parties in the state are still locked in legal tussle in various courts.
On Monday, a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt barred the Sole Administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas from inaugurating the newly confirmed chairman and members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission, pending the judgment of the court in a suit instituted before it.
Justice Frank Onyiri issued the order after parties addressed and adopted their final written addresses on the suit filed by chairman and members of the commission appointed by suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, challenging their suspension by the sole administrator.
Our corrspondent recalls that Justice Onyiri, who had earlier ordered parties to maintain the status quo in April, 2025, adjourned the case to September 29, 2025, for judgment.
The claimants in the suit are Rev. Goodlife Ben, Amadi Echele, Chimenem Jerome and three others.
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They are challenging what they described as their illegal sack by the sole administrator, and his move to replace them without due process.
The claimants contend that they were legally appointed and confirmed by the Rivers State House of Assembly and that before they were issued letters of appointment by the governor, records of their confirmation were with the clerk of the house.
According to their affidavit signed by the suspended chairman, the claimants are insisting that the sole administrator lacks the legal powers to suspend them and appoint a new chairman and members of the commission.
The defendants in the suits are the sole administrator of the state, accountant general, Access Bank, Zineth Bank and 11 others.
