By Al Humphrey Onyanabo
A RELATIVELY obscure legal battle filed by an equally low-profile NGO has suddenly gained traction following the unexpected transfer of the case from Port Harcourt to Abuja.
The Incorporated Trustees of the Rivers Bridge Peace Initiative, a Rivers State-based organization led by Rufus Oba, is challenging the legality of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to release state funds to the military-appointed sole administrator of Rivers State.
Their counsel, Clifford N. Chuku Esq.—a known and reputable Port Harcourt-based lawyer—is leading the charge.
Until recently, the matter—Suit No. FHC/PHC/43/2025—was being heard at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, in Court 5 presided over by Hon. Justice A.T. Mohammed. But claimants were surprised when they arrived in court to find the case had been abruptly transferred to the Federal High Court in Abuja.
“No reasons were given. We haven’t received any official communication, which is the standard procedure,” Oba told our reporter.
“No Abuja court has even been assigned the matter yet. We were only informed by the clerk.”
The next hearing which was fixed for Port Harcourt has now been move to Abuja, it is not known if the matter would be heard in Abuja on Monday, May 26, 2025 as no hearing notice has been issued to that effect.
At the heart of the suit is a challenge to what the claimants describe as an unconstitutional release of Rivers State funds to the military administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd).
They argue this violates a Supreme Court ruling stating that only a duly elected governor, with a passed and approved state budget by the Rivers State House of Assembly, can receive state allocations.
The defendants include President Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Accountant General, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and Vice Admiral Ibas.
Court documents show that Ibas is represented by a formidable team of 21 lawyers—all based outside Rivers State—including several Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) such as Chief Akin Olujinmi, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, Tijani Gazali, and Babatunde Ogala.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has also assembled its own high-powered legal team, led by Sam T. Ologunorisa, SAN, and Moses A. Ebute, SAN, among others.
The scene is set for what is shaping up to be a classic David-versus-Goliath courtroom showdown, now playing out on a much larger stage in Abuja.
