The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has issued an interim order restraining Ibok-Ete Ibas, the sole administrator of Rivers State, from appointing coordinators or administrators for the state’s 23 local government areas.

Justice Adamu Mohammed granted the injunction on Monday following an ex parte application filed by the Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative, a civil society group led by Courage Nsirimovu.

The group, in a 14-paragraph affidavit, urged the court to halt any attempts by Ibas or his agents to appoint local government heads under any title.

“Appointing the sole administrator or whatever name so called for the twenty-three local government areas of Rivers State,” the affidavit warned, would undermine democratic principles.

The group’s counsel, A. O. Imiete, argued the motion for the injunction, which the court granted. Justice Mohammed also directed Ibas to appear before the court to explain why the order should not be made permanent.

The case has been adjourned to April 14 for further hearing.