Fake court ruling stirs fresh tension in Rivers crisis

DDM News

The Rivers State Judiciary has firmly denied claims that any of its judges ruled against the state’s Sole Administrator or reinstated the suspended governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

According to Diaspora digital media (DDM), this denial follows widespread reports on social media suggesting that Justice Boma Diepiri of the High Court had delivered a judgment ordering the removal of retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the state’s current Sole Administrator.

Chief Registrar of the Rivers State High Court, David Ihua Maduenyi, issued a formal statement on Wednesday, describing the viral report as “entirely false” and “deliberately misleading.”

He clarified that Justice Diepiri, who was named in the alleged ruling, never made such a pronouncement and is not even a judge of the Federal High Court, as was claimed.

The crisis in Rivers State has deepened since a political rift emerged between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

What began as a minor disagreement over administrative decisions quickly evolved into a full-blown political feud that fractured the state’s power structure.

The situation escalated further when a group of lawmakers loyal to Wike initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara.

As tensions soared, President Bola Tinubu intervened by appointing a Sole Administrator to temporarily take charge of the state’s governance.

The appointment of retired naval officer Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator drew mixed reactions across Nigeria.

Many legal experts and opposition figures questioned the constitutional basis for such an appointment in a democratic setting.

Civil society groups also condemned the move, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent and undermine Nigeria’s federal structure.

The growing controversy created fertile ground for misinformation, culminating in the now-discredited claim that the judiciary had nullified the appointment.

“The attention of the Rivers State Judiciary has been drawn to a fake news report alleging that His Lordship, Hon. Justice Boma Diepiri, delivered a judgment sacking the Sole Administrator of Rivers State,” the judiciary’s statement read.

“This is false in its entirety.”

Maduenyi emphasized that Justice Diepiri is a serving judge of the Rivers State High Court, not the Federal High Court.

He further noted that Justice Diepiri is currently on Easter vacation, which officially began on Monday, April 14, 2025.

He said the report not only misrepresented judicial facts but also revealed the ignorance of its author by confusing court jurisdictions.

According to the Chief Registrar, the Rivers State High Court has not issued any ruling regarding the legality of the Sole Administrator’s appointment or the suspension of Governor Fubara.

He reminded the public that the Federal High Court and the State High Court are distinct judicial bodies with separate mandates.

Maduenyi described the online reports as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and stir unrest.

He warned media outlets and individuals to verify their sources before spreading unverified information.

The judiciary’s firm rebuttal seeks to restore public trust and counteract false narratives amid the ongoing political crisis in the state.

Rivers State remains politically tense as citizens await further developments in the ongoing power tussle.

The judiciary’s statement may help to calm nerves but has also highlighted the urgent need for transparency and constitutional adherence in managing political conflicts.

Observers have urged stakeholders to uphold the rule of law and protect democratic institutions from political interference.

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