The Rivers State Judiciary has refuted reports alleging that a State High Court barred the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, from inaugurating the newly confirmed Chairman and members of the Rivers State Services Commission pending judgment in a suit currently before the court.

Reports on Monday, July 14, 2025, claimed that Justice Frank Onyiri of the State High Court had directed all parties in the matter to maintain the status quo in an order issued in April 2024 and subsequently adjourned the case for judgment, fixed for September 29, 2025.

The suit was filed by Rev. Goodlife Iduoku Ben, Amadi Christian Echele, Chimenem Wisdom Jerome, and three others, who are challenging their suspension by the Sole Administrator.

They are contesting what they describe as unlawful removal and replacement without due process.

According to the claimants, they were duly appointed and confirmed by the Rivers State House of Assembly, with records of their confirmation already documented by the Clerk of the House before appointment letters were issued by the Governor.

In an affidavit deposed to by the suspended Chairman, Rev. Ben, the claimants maintain that the Sole Administrator lacks the legal authority to suspend them or appoint new members to the commission.

The defendants in the suit include Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Accountant General of the State, Access Bank, Zenith Bank, and eleven others.

However, in a disclaimer dated July 14, 2025, the Rivers State Judiciary described the circulating reports as malicious, mendacious, and devoid of truth.

The statement, signed by the Deputy Chief Registrar, Menenen Poromon, clarified that no injunction was issued by Justice Onyiri restraining the Sole Administrator from inaugurating the commission members.

The Rivers State Judiciary, however, urged members of the public to disregard the information being circulated on various media platforms.

The statement read in part, “Our attention has been drawn to a fictitious news article circulating in the social media alleging that Hon. Justice Frank Onyiri of the Rivers State High Court has issued an injunction restraining the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (RTD), from inaugurating the newly confirmed Chairman and Members of the ‘Rivers State Services Commission’ (sic) pending the determination of a suit on the subject matter before him.”

Despite the judiciary’s position, Daily Post maintains that Justice Onyiri directed all parties in the matter to maintain status quo, pending the determination of the suit before it.

The interpretation and implications of “status quo” as directed by a court have now triggered a debate amongst concerned citizens.