The High Court of Rivers State has refuted a news report claiming that Governor Siminalayi Fubara secured a court order allegedly ordering a Sole Administrator to vacate Government House.

The report, published by an online report, mentioned Justice Boma Diepriye as the presiding judge who ruled that the appointment of a sole administrator was “illegal, null, and void”.

However, in a statement signed by Chief Registrar David Ihua-Maduenyi, the High Court of Rivers State clarified that Justice Boma Diepiri, whose name was likely confused with the one mentioned in the report, is a judge of the Rivers State High Court, not the Federal High Court.

Diepiri is currently on Easter vacation, which commenced on April 14, 2025, and only the designated vacation judge is sitting during this period.

The court emphasised that no State High Court has issued any orders related to the subject matter of the news report.

He expressed disappointment that some bloggers and online news reporters prioritize sensationalism over professionalism, potentially seeking to gain from web traffic.

The Rivers State Judiciary, however, advised the public to seek clarification on any news reports concerning the court and its officials before publication.

He also urged the public to disregard the false and misleading publication.

“In view of the above, I wish to state as follows: Hon. Justice Boma Diepiri is not a Judge of the Federal High Court but a Judge of the Rivers State High Court, and is on Easter Vacation, which commenced on Monday, 14th April, 2025,” he said.

“For the period of the Easter Vacation, only the vacation Judge is sitting; and Hon. Justice Boma Diepiri is not the Vacation Judge.

“No State High Court gave any order(s) relating to or concerning the subject matter as captioned in the online news.

“It is regrettable that some bloggers and online news reporters have traded professionalism on the altar of pecuniary gains they seek to derive from traffic on their social media handles and web pages.

“Henceforth, the Judiciary enjoins the general public to seek clarification on any news report concerning the Court and officials of the Court before publication.” (The Guardian)