The Civil Liberties Organization has threatened legal action against Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), over what it described as the unlawful appointment of Dr. (Mrs) Sarah Kiabel as the substantive Auditor-General for Local Governments.
Rivers State CLO Chairman, Sunny Dada, told reporters in Port Harcourt that the move violates the Nigerian Constitution, Civil Service Rules, the Rivers State Audit Law No. 2 of 2020, and the state’s official gazette.
“On the 24th day of July 2025, we petitioned the Sole Administrator, the Head of Service, and the Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, detailing clear and undeniable breaches… 48 hours ago, we followed up with a reminder.
To date, no acknowledgment or corrective action has been communicated to us,” Dada said. “The silence risks being interpreted as acquiescence to a violation of the rule of law.”
He argued that the appointment sidestepped statutory requirements such as public advertisement, competitive interviews, nomination of three qualified candidates by the Civil Service Commission, and screening by the House of Assembly.
“It violates the six-month acting period rule before a substantive appointment and breaches Civil Service rules by appointing a person due for retirement in December 2025, who must commence pre-retirement leave by October 2025,” he added.
The CLO demanded the immediate suspension of the appointment pending “a full and transparent investigation,” warning that “failure to act promptly will leave us with no other option but to escalate this matter to appropriate oversight and judicial authorities, as well as national and international human rights and anti-corruption bodies.”
On the upcoming August 30 council elections, Dada called on the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission to halt the process, claiming the State Administrator “unlawfully constituted” the commission.
“We are calling for the reversal of the illegal RSIEC constitution and strict compliance with constitutional provisions and electoral laws. If we don’t see any good response, we will challenge it in court and approach international organisations. It is clear that democracy is at risk in Rivers State,” he warned.
Meanwhile, Ibas has announced the appointment of chairmen and members for eight key boards, including the Rivers State University Governing Council, chaired by former NBA President, Okey Wali, SAN, and the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, chaired by former Health Commissioner, Dr. Sampson Parker.
Other appointees include Dr. Samuel Nwanosike as Chairman of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency, Prof. Adolphus Joseph Toby as Chairman of the Rivers State Microfinance Agency, and Barr. Samuel Ogeh as Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Commission.
According to the government’s announcement, the newly appointed members will be sworn in on a date yet to be disclosed.
