A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has restrained the state’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (rtd), from inaugurating the newly appointed Chairman and members of the Rivers State Services Commission. The court directed that the planned swearing-in be put on hold pending the outcome of a suit challenging the appointments. Justice Frank Onyiri issued the order after hearing and adopting the final written addresses from all parties involved. The suit was filed by the previously appointed Chairman and members of the commission who were installed by the suspended state governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara. These aggrieved former officials approached the court after they were removed from office by Ibas, claiming their suspension was unlawful. Justice Onyiri, on Monday, ordered all parties to maintain the status quo and adjourned the matter to September 29 for judgment. The claimants—Reverend Goodlife Iduoku Ben, Amadi Christian Echele, Chimenem Wisdom Jerome, and three others—argue that the Sole Administrator lacks the legal authority to remove them, as they were duly appointed and confirmed by the Rivers State House of Assembly. They emphasized that their appointment letters were properly issued by the Governor after confirmation records had been sent to the Clerk of the House. In an affidavit sworn by the suspended Chairman, Reverend Ben, the claimants insist that the Sole Administrator overstepped his powers by suspending them and attempting to install new members. The defendants in the case include Sole Administrator Ibas, the state’s Accountant General, Access Bank, Zenith Bank, and eleven others.