A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has postponed until May 26, 2025, the constitutional lawsuit challenging President Bola Tinubu’s suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu, and all members of the State House of Assembly.
The lawsuit was initiated by Dr. Farah Dagogo, a former federal lawmaker and PDP governorship aspirant for Rivers State in the 2023 elections.
President Tinubu had declared a State of Emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, citing security concerns, and subsequently announced the suspension of the elected state leadership, appointing Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) as the Administrator.
Read Also: What I Told Fubara When He Came With Two Governors To Meet Me – Wike
In response, Dr. Dagogo filed Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/50/2025 on April 9, 2025, arguing that the President’s actions were beyond his powers and lacked constitutional basis.
At Monday’s court hearing, the plaintiff’s counsel, Cosmas Enweluzo, SAN, informed the court that all defendants had been properly served and that they were ready to proceed.
The defendants named in the suit are President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Senate, House of Representatives Speaker Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and Rivers State Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired).
Of all the defendants, only Vice Admiral Ibas (retired) was represented by his counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, who requested more time to respond to the initial court summons.
Justice Adamu Mohammed granted the request but cautioned that the case would proceed on the next scheduled date regardless of any further delays.
Speaking to reporters after the court session, Enweluzo reiterated that President Tinubu’s actions were unconstitutional.
He stated that the President does not have the constitutional authority to suspend elected officials or govern millions of citizens by decree, calling it a “constitutional aberration.”
Enweluzo also questioned the President’s stated reasons for declaring a state of emergency, pointing out the existence of significant insecurity in some northern states without similar action being taken. He argued that Rivers State has remained relatively peaceful.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria commended Dr. Dagogo for taking legal action to defend the Constitution.
Enweluzo explained that the adjournment was granted because the counsel for the fifth defendant stated that their staff were in the process of filing their response. He added that while all other defendants have been served, none have yet filed any legal response to the suit.
Counsel for the fifth defendant, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, declined to comment on the proceedings.
Join Informant Online WhatsApp Channel With Link Below: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2
