The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday dismissed a suit challenging the six-month suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, imposed by President Bola Tinubu following the declaration of a State of Emergency in the state.
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The suspension, announced on March 18, 2025, elapsed on September 18, during which President Tinubu appointed a sole administrator to manage the affairs of Rivers State.
The suit was filed by five concerned indigenes of Rivers State, led by Mr. Belema Briggs, seeking a declaration that the suspension was illegal and unconditional.
Delivering the judgment, Justice James Omotosho held that the plaintiffs lacked the locus standi to institute the case, noting they were neither the governor nor proven members of the state’s House of Assembly. The court also found that the plaintiffs failed to show that they suffered any special injury beyond that of other indigenes, or that they had the authorization of the state Attorney General to file the suit.
Justice Omotosho further observed that the defendants successfully demonstrated that President Tinubu imposed the emergency rule to avert a breakdown of law and order in the state. The plaintiffs also failed to prove that the relevant legal provisions were not activated prior to the emergency declaration.
The court emphasized that questions regarding the legality of the emergency rule fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. Consequently, the suit was dismissed as frivolous and baseless, with the court noting that the mandate of other indigenes was not obtained before filing the case.
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