A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has dismissed a case filed against President Bola Tinubu over his declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The suit, brought by a civil society organisation, sought to challenge the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) as the Sole Administrator of the state.
The emergency, declared by Tinubu in March this year, led to the suspension of Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.
However, the plaintiff argued that the proclamation and the suspension were illegal and contrary to the 1999 Constitution.
In his ruling, Justice Muhammad Turaki said the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to bring the suit, as Fubara was not a party to the case.
He described the matter as an academic exercise and did not examine the merits of the claim.
After the court session, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Amegua Lezina, said they would study the judgment and decide on next steps.
Lezina hinted at a possible appeal to the Court of Appeal, noting that the core issues of the case were not addressed.
Meanwhile, the court adjourned a separate suit by the same organisation, which challenges the National Assembly’s ratification of Ibas’ appointment, to January 23, 2026, for judgment.
Another case regarding the appointment of members of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission was adjourned to December 5, 2025, for adoption of processes.
