The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed July 18, 2025, to deliver its ruling on a motion seeking to restrain the National Assembly from approving any budgets or appointments made by the Rivers State Government under the current ‘Unconstitutional’ Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd).
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Justice James Omotosho set the date after listening to arguments from both counsel in the motion for interlocutory injunction.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1190/2025, was filed by several Rivers indigenes and the Registered Trustees of Hope Africa Foundation. Other plaintiffs include King Oziwe Amba, Chief Julius Bulous, Chief George Ikeme, Chief Amachelu Orlu, and Prince Odioha Wembe.
Listed as 1st and 2nd defendants are the National Assembly and the Clerk to the National Assembly.
The plaintiffs are seeking an order to restrain the National Assembly from approving or engaging in any legislative activities in respect of Rivers State—particularly with regard to budgetary approvals or appointments—while the state remains under a sole administrator appointed by the presidency.
Vice Admiral Ibas was appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu following the controversial six-month suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.
Plaintiffs’ counsel, Ambrose Owuru, argued that the legislative approval for the state of emergency was unconstitutional, citing the use of “voice votes” instead of the constitutionally required two-thirds majority vote of the National Assembly.
He contended that the interim administration lacks legal backing and that the budget and appointments made under it were nullities, adding that unless restrained, the National Assembly would continue to endorse actions detrimental to democratic governance in Rivers.
Supporting affidavits alleged that since the state of emergency was declared, the National Assembly has acted on several illegal requests, including the recent approval of Rivers State’s ₦1.485 trillion 2025 budget, despite ongoing protests and unrest.
The plaintiffs urged the court to preserve their constitutional right to be governed by an elected government, insisting that the emergency rule undermines Nigeria’s democratic framework.
However, counsel for the National Assembly, Mohammed Galadima, opposed the motion, describing the plaintiffs’ claims as speculative and misleading. He said the voice vote method used to approve the emergency rule does not violate the Constitution and maintained that no illegality occurred in the legislative process.
Galadima warned that halting legislative activity concerning Rivers State could trigger confusion and governance breakdown in the state.
After hearing both sides, Justice Omotosho adjourned ruling on the motion to July 18.
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