The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled July 18, 2025, to deliver a ruling on a motion seeking to bar the National Assembly from approving budgets or appointments related to the Rivers State Government currently administered by Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd).
President Bola Tinubu appointed Ibas as the sole administrator of Rivers State following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara for six months.
The motion before the court is part of a broader legal challenge brought by several indigenes of the state and the Registered Trustees of Hope Africa Foundation, who are contesting the legitimacy of Ibas’ leadership and associated legislative approvals.
Justice James Omotosho fixed the ruling date after listening to arguments from the applicants’ counsel, Ambrose Owuru, and the defence lawyer representing the National Assembly, Mohammed Galadima.
The suit, filed under reference number FHC/ABJ/CS/1190/2025, was initiated by King Oziwe Amba, Chief Julius Bulous, Chief George Ikeme, Chief Amachelu Orlu, Prince Odioha Wembe, and the foundation.
The National Assembly and its Clerk were listed as the first and second defendants.
The applicants are seeking an interlocutory injunction to prevent the legislature from continuing to approve or support any decisions, budgets, or appointments related to the Rivers State Government under Ibas.
They argued that such actions are rooted in illegality, claiming that the state budget proposed by Ibas was submitted through an unconstitutional process involving a “voice vote” rather than the constitutionally required two-thirds majority.
Owuru, arguing on behalf of the plaintiffs, urged the court to halt all legislative approvals linked to what he described as an “emergency government” installed in Rivers State.
He maintained that the declaration of a state of emergency lacked proper legislative backing and violated the constitution.
In a supporting affidavit, the plaintiffs alleged that since the suit was filed, the National Assembly has continued to approve appointments and budgetary actions initiated by Ibas, which they described as illegal and without constitutional basis.
They said such moves have triggered unrest and widespread protests within the state.
They further argued that unless the court intervenes, the National Assembly would persist in “unconstitutional acts,” including the use of voice votes in place of constitutionally sanctioned voting procedures.
The applicants contended that granting the motion would safeguard their right to be governed by a democratically elected administration.
In response, Galadima, representing the National Assembly and its Clerk, urged the court to dismiss the motion, arguing that it lacked merit.
The defendants described the plaintiffs’ claims as “fabricated falsehoods and deliberate misrepresentation” of facts, insisting that all actions taken so far were lawful and consistent with the constitution.
They also warned that granting the motion could lead to confusion in the governance of Rivers State and argued that it would not serve the interest of justice.
Meanwhile, the Senate had, on June 25, passed the ₦1.485 trillion 2025 budget for Rivers State after the appropriation bill scaled its third reading on the Senate floor.
Justice Omotosho is expected to deliver a ruling on the interlocutory motion on July 18.