Farah Dagogo, a former member of the House of Representatives, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s actions as a “rape of democracy” and a “clear violation of the Nigerian Constitution.”
Speaking through his legal counsel at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, Dagogo challenged the legality of the President’s March 18, 2025 suspension of the Rivers State government and the imposition of emergency rule.
Dagogo’s legal team argued that the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Professor Ngozi Odu, and all 32 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly was unconstitutional and unlawful.
The President’s actions were ratified by both chambers of the National Assembly two days later, leading to the removal of the entire elected leadership for an initial six-month period.
In their place, President Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Administrator of the state — a move that has sparked outrage from civil society groups and constitutional experts.
At Wednesday’s hearing, only the first and fifth respondents, represented by Prof. Kanyinsola Ajayi, SAN, and Abduljabar Aliyu, were present.
The third and fourth respondents — the Nigerian Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives — were absent once again.
Justice James Omotosho, who is presiding over the matter, dismissed rumours circulating online and clarified that the court remains committed to adjudicating the case strictly on its legal merits.
He ordered that fresh hearing notices be reissued to the absent respondents ahead of the next hearing.
The case has been adjourned to October 7, 2025, due to the commencement of the court’s annual vacation.
Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, Barrister Babafemi Adegbite, a member of Dagogo’s legal team, reiterated their resolve to challenge the emergency rule through lawful and constitutional means.
His words: “This suit was initially filed at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt but was later transferred to Abuja under circumstances we will address at the appropriate time.
“Our contention is that the President acted ultra vires the Constitution by suspending a democratically elected government and appointing an unelected Administrator.”
Adegbite further accused the National Assembly of abandoning its constitutional duty of oversight and instead endorsing what he termed “a grave democratic violation.”
“We are resolute in pursuing this matter to its logical conclusion for the sake of democratic integrity and posterity,” he declared.
