A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has dismissed a suit challenging President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The civil society organisation behind the suit had sought to contest the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, as well as the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) as Sole Administrator of the state.
The state of emergency, proclaimed by President Tinubu in March, imposed a six-month suspension on the affected officials.
The plaintiffs argued that the proclamation and subsequent actions were unconstitutional and violated the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Muhammad Turaki held that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to institute the action, noting that Governor Fubara, whose suspension formed the core of the dispute, was not joined as a party.
He therefore described the suit as merely academic and declined to consider its substantive merits.
Speaking to journalists after the ruling, counsel to the plaintiffs, Amegua Lezina, said they would review the judgment and determine their next course of action.
He indicated that an appeal to the Court of Appeal was under consideration, particularly because, in his view, the central constitutional issues raised were not addressed.
Meanwhile, the court has adjourned to January 23, 2026, for judgment in another suit filed by the same organisation challenging the National Assembly’s ratification of Ibas’ appointment.
A related case involving the appointment of members of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission has been adjourned to December 5, 2025, for adoption of processes.
