The Rivers State Judiciary has debunked a viral online report claiming that Justice Boma Diepiri or any judge of the State High Court issued a ruling in favor of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara against President Bola Tinubu and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike. The report also falsely alleged that the court ordered retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Sole Administrator, to vacate the Government House.
In a statement released on Wednesday by the Chief Registrar of the Rivers State High Court, David Ihua Maduenyi, the judiciary described the report as false and misleading. The report claimed that Justice Diepiri, purportedly of the Federal High Court, ruled that the appointment of a sole administrator following the removal of a democratically elected governor was illegal, null, and void.
Maduenyi 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 began on April 14, 2025. He emphasized that the Federal High Court and State High Court are distinct entities, calling the report’s error a display of “crass ignorance.” The Chief Registrar further confirmed that no judge of the Rivers State High Court has issued any orders related to the state’s emergency rule.
Expressing concern over the spread of unverified information, Maduenyi criticized bloggers and online reporters for prioritizing traffic and financial gain over professionalism. He urged the public to verify court-related information directly with the judiciary or its officials before publishing or sharing such reports.