The crisis rocking the apex Ijaw socio-cultural organisation, the Ijaw National Congress, INC, took a new dimension as a High court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State yesterday ordered that the swearing in of the reportedly elected new National Executive members INC be stopped.

This came shortly after news broke on Tuesday about the Delta state High court ruling where Justice Anthony Olotu on the 8th of May 2026 ordered an interim injunction restraining the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE) of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) from stopping the swearing in of High Chief Macdonald Igbadiwe as President and other elected members of NEC.

In the court documents sighted by HSN.com, the suit in the Yenagoa high court have Rear Admiral Geoffrey Yanga (Rtd), Alabo Nengi James, Engr. Ebipamowei Wodu as claimants.

The defendants listed in the case are Prof. Ben Okaba, HRM Justice F.F Tibai (Rtd) and Dr. Olobo Choice Jamaica (for themselves and as representing the members of the 2026 National Electoral Committee (NEC)of the ljaw National Congress)

The presiding judge, Hon. Justice Amadise Michael Ekadi,hearing the motion on Tuesday 12th day of May, 2026 ordered that;

“I.) Parties are directed to maintain the status quo as at today.

“II.) No Party in this suit inclusive of the Party seeking to be joined should take any step to undermine
proceedings pending before the Court.”

Justice Ekadi later adjourned the case to Thursday the 14th day of May, 2026 for hearing of all applications.