Renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has demanded the immediate removal of Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (rtd.), accusing him of violating the terms of his appointment under President Bola Tinubu’s state of emergency proclamation.
In a strongly worded statement on Thursday, Falana highlighted that the Official Gazette establishing Ibas’ position clearly stated he would operate based on regulations issued by the President. However, the senior advocate noted that no such regulations have been issued since Ibas’ appointment on March 18, 2025, yet the administrator has proceeded to make appointments and remove officials originally appointed by suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“By treating the orders of President Bola Tinubu with contempt, the Sole Administrator has compounded the illegality of his appointment,” Falana asserted. “He ought to be removed without any further delay.”
The legal challenge comes as the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State had summoned Ibas for an interactive session in Abuja, though the meeting was postponed following a request from the administrator.
President Tinubu had appointed Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff (2015-2021), under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, citing the need to address escalating political tensions in Rivers State. The emergency measures included suspending Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state House of Assembly for six months.
Falana’s intervention adds to growing scrutiny of the emergency rule in Rivers, which has faced criticism from various political figures and legal experts who question its constitutionality. The development signals potential legal battles ahead regarding the limits of presidential emergency powers and the administration of states under such declarations.
