Rivers Judiciary Denies Involvement in Alleged Court Ruling on Fubara, Sole Administrator

The Rivers State Judiciary has refuted claims that any of its judges, including Justice Boma Diepiri, issued a ruling in favour of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara in a case allegedly involving President Bola Tinubu, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, and the state’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral (rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ibas.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Chief Registrar of the Rivers State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi, the judiciary dismissed an online report alleging that Justice Diepiri presided over a Federal High Court case in which Fubara purportedly secured a victory that declared the appointment of a sole administrator illegal and ordered the administrator to vacate the Government House.

Describing the report as “false and misleading,” the Chief Registrar clarified that Justice Diepiri is a judge of the Rivers State High Court, not the Federal High Court, and is currently on Easter vacation, which commenced on Monday, April 14, 2025.

“No such matter has come before Justice Diepiri, who is not even sitting at this time,” Ihua-Maduenyi stated.

“The Federal High Court and State High Courts are different and operate under separate jurisdictions. It is unfortunate that the report failed to acknowledge this fundamental distinction.”

The judiciary emphasized that no judge under the Rivers State High Court has delivered any judgment or order pertaining to the alleged imposition of emergency rule or the legality of the sole administrator’s appointment.

Ihua-Maduenyi expressed concern over what he described as a disturbing trend of bloggers and online reporters prioritizing sensationalism and website traffic over factual reporting and professional ethics.

He urged the public and media professionals to verify sensitive legal claims through official judicial channels before dissemination.

“This kind of reckless reporting undermines public trust in the judiciary and misleads citizens,” the Chief Registrar warned. “We call on the public to disregard the report in question and rely only on verified court communications.”