Prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana SAN, has asserted that the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, has violated constitutional procedures and disregarded directives issued by President Bola Tinubu, warranting his removal.
Falana made these remarks in a statement issued on Thursday.
Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff, was appointed by the President on March 18 as the Sole Administrator of Rivers, temporarily taking over from Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who is currently on a six-month suspension. Ibas was officially inaugurated into his role on March 19.
In his statement on Thursday, Falana referred to the official Federal Government Gazette, which delineates the regulations governing the operations of the Sole Administrator.
The document quoted President Tinubu as stating, “the Sole Administrator shall operate on the basis of such Regulations that may, from time to time, be issued by me.”
Falana remarked, “It is common knowledge that President Bola Tinubu has not issued any Regulation for the operation of the Sole Administrator.” He highlighted that Ibas has engaged in “unlawful” activities, including making appointments and dismissing officials who were previously appointed by Fubara.
“By treating the orders of President Bola Tinubu with contempt, the Sole Administrator has compounded the illegality of his appointment. The Sole Administrator ought to be removed without any further delay,” Falana concluded.
