The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a case seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
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The emergency proclamation, made on March 18, 2025, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly for six months. In their place, the president appointed a sole administrator to run the state during the period.
374 VIOLATORS TO PAY N5m PENALTY, GET FRESH C-OF-O UPON PAYMENT OF NECESSARY FEES SEE LIST HERE
Belema Briggs and four others filed the suit, claiming that the presidential action violated their rights. They asked the court to set aside the proclamation and restore the suspended officials.
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Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to institute the case. He explained that only the Supreme Court has jurisdiction to handle such a matter involving the powers of the president and a state.
The court further held that the claimants failed to show they were part of the state’s executive or legislature or that they suffered any personal harm beyond that experienced by other residents of Rivers.
Justice Omotosho also noted that the plaintiffs did not obtain the consent of the state Attorney General before filing the suit, a requirement in such actions.
He concluded that the case was without merit and amounted to a frivolous attempt, stressing that the individuals had no mandate from the people of Rivers State to act on their behalf.
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