Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Port Harcourt branch, Mrs. Cordelia Eke, faces the sack as a staff of the Rivers State Ministry of Justice for criticising the actions of the state Sole Administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas.
The NBA branch chairmen in the state had in a communique, condemned the sole administrator for actions deemed contrary to his mandate and the rule of law.
In the communique, the NBA chairmen accused the sole administrator of “severe and brazen acts of lawlessness and impunity” and the “unconstitutional dismantling of democratic institutions.”
Also, they urged President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to intervene to prevent further crisis in the state.
Piqued by the audacity of the NBA, the state government singled out the only person on its payroll among those who signed the offending communique.
In a formal query to Mrs. Eke, the state government is demanding an explanation for her role in criticising the actions of the sole administrator.
The query which hints at severe disciplinary measures against Mrs. Eke, a director in the justice ministry, include possible dismissal.
The query, dated April 25, 2025, and signed by the Director of Administration in the ministry, Ebiriemg Deresima, on behalf of the solicitor-general and permanent secretary, cited information received by the sole administrator on April 23, 2025.
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It accused Mrs. Eke of violating public service rules by contributing to a communique that criticised the state’s administration without prior permission.
The query cited Rule 100421, sub (b), (c), and (d), which prohibit civil servants from publicly expressing opinions on political or administrative matters affecting state policy.
The query described Mrs. Eke’s actions as “quite unbecoming of a civil servant” and a “flagrant disregard” of regulations.
It demanded a written explanation within 48 hours, warning that failure to provide a satisfactory response could lead to “full disciplinary actions, which include dismissal,” in line with Rules 100302 and 100306.
Meanwhile, the NBA branch chairmen in the state have rejected the query issued to Mrs. Eke.
In a joint press statement on Tuesday, the NBA branch chairmen described the allegations contained in the query as an attempt to intimidate Mrs. Eke and stifle dissenting voices among the legal professionals in the state.
They clarified that Eke did not issue the controversial communique in her capacity as a civil servant, but rather as the elected chairman of the Port Harcourt branch, in line with her constitutional mandate within the NBA.
The chairmen argued that their collective statements, including the one referenced from April 9, 2025, were issued following formal deliberations within the association and reflected the position of all NBA branches in the state.
They also noted that their views align with those of the NBA at the national level, as articulated by the association’s President, Afam Osigwe (SAN).
