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According to Vanguard, eminent lawyers have condemned Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), the sole administrator of Rivers State, for designating single administrators to oversee the state’s Local Government Areas (LGAs), describing his actions as illegal and contemptuous.

Senior attorneys denounced Ibas’ action in a separate statement to Vanguard, citing a court order that forbade such appointments. They contended that the nominations violated constitutional norms recognized by the Supreme Court in addition to showing disrespect for judicial authority.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mr. Mohammed Abeny was incensed over the occurrence and declared Ibas’ appointment and the activities that followed to be unlawful.

“The action of the Sole Administrator of Rivers State is illegal, just like his appointment, He has recklessly flouted a court order and disobeyed judgments of the apex court that declared the appointment of administrators to run local governments illegal. Those who appointed him never meant well for this country or its democracy. We never had this level of lawlessness, even under military rule.“ Abeny stated.

Mr. Benjamin Umukoro, a human rights attorney, also cited a Supreme Court ruling that gave Nigeria’s 774 LGAs financial autonomy, emphasizing that it was expressly forbidden to utilize unelected persons to rule.

“A full panel of the Supreme Court was unanimous that such practices are illegal, Ironically, it was President Bola Tinubu’s administration that initiated that case. When a similar situation occurred in Edo State, the Attorney-General, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, promptly declared it illegal. It is surprising that he has remained silent now.” Umukoro noted.

Umukoro further chastised the federal government for allowing the Sole Administrator to access Rivers State’s withheld funds in spite of the continuing legal disputes. “First, Tinubu released funds contrary to court orders. Now, the Sole Administrator appoints LGA heads against another court order. One illegality begets another,” he said.

Lawyer Emeribe Ugonna added to the chorus of displeasure by emphasizing that everyone is subject to the law, regardless of their position.

“If there was a valid court order duly served on Ibas, and he still went ahead to act against it, there are laid down procedures to address such contempt,” Ugonna explained. “He should be made to face the full consequences, including imprisonment if found guilty. The law is not a respecter of persons.”

According to a number of legal experts, the state of affairs jeopardizes Nigeria’s constitutional democracy and erodes public confidence in the judiciary. They maintain that in order to avoid a risky precedent, the courts must take decisive action.

The controversy coincides with broader political unrest in Rivers State, where many saw Ibas’ nomination and actions as attempts to topple the political systems of former Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Concerns about the growing disrespect for court rulings at all levels of government are leading to calls for immediate federal intervention to protect the rule of law and guarantee adherence to court judgments.

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