Port Harcourt, April 29, 2025 – The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) branches in Rivers State have united in condemnation of Administrator Ibok-Ete Ibas’ query against Port Harcourt Branch Chairman Cordelia Eke, denouncing it as an unconstitutional attempt to silence legal professionals.
Query Controversy
The April 25 memo from Justice Ministry Director Ebiriemg Deresima accused Eke of “serious misconduct” for co-authoring an April 9 communiqué that criticized the Administrator’s:
- Dismantling of democratic institutions
- Crackdowns on peaceful protests
- Alleged constitutional violations
The Administrator claimed Eke violated Public Service Rules, though the NBA maintains she acted strictly in her capacity as an elected bar leader.
Eight-Branch Solidarity
In a fiery joint statement signed by all branch chairmen, including Dr. Hilda Desmond-Ihekaire (Ahoada) and Dr. Celestine Nwankwo (Okehi), the NBA declared:
“This query is a ploy to intimidate lawyers and citizens from challenging executive rascality. As society’s watchdog, we cannot abandon our constitutional duty to speak truth to power.”
The chairmen emphasized their April 9 critique followed proper NBA deliberations and aligns with national president Mazi Afam Osigwe’s (SAN) position.
Broader Democratic Concerns
The legal practitioners framed the query as part of a disturbing pattern:
✔ Systematic erosion of democratic norms under sole administration
✔ Weaponization of civil service rules against dissent
✔ Growing climate of fear for critics
“Rather than maintain peace as mandated, the Administrator prioritizes suppressing constitutional rights,” the statement continued, demanding immediate withdrawal of the query.
Standing Firm
Reaffirming their resolve, the chairmen vowed to:
- Resist all harassment against legal professionals
- Continue exposing governance irregularities
- Mobilize national NBA support if intimidation persists
This confrontation escalates tensions between Rivers’ legal community and the Administrator, whose appointment following political crises remains controversial. Legal observers warn the standoff could trigger wider constitutional challenges regarding civil servants’ associational rights.
