The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in a legal challenge concerning the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu in March.
A seven-man panel led by Justice Inyang Okoro adjourned the case after all parties adopted their processes on Tuesday.
The plaintiffs in the suit consist of the Attorneys General of 10 states, while the defendants are the Federal Government and the National Assembly.
Notably, the fifth plaintiff, Delta State, withdrew from the suit during the day’s proceedings, a move that was unopposed by the Federal Government’s counsel, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
Read Also:Shettima Vacates Seat As Vice President, Gives Reason
Counsel for the plaintiffs, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), adopted their process and clarified that their challenge was not a denial of the President’s power to proclaim a state of emergency but rather a question of the extent to which the proclamation can be made to affect the offices of the governor, deputy governor, and the State House of Assembly.
In response, Counsel for the Federal Government and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, was asked by the court whether there was a threat in the proclamation process.
Fagbemi stated there was “none” and that the plaintiffs have not been able to prove any.
He also justified the President’s action in March, noting that Rivers State “was engulfed in crisis, involving the governor and the executives.
The senior lawyer submitted that the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara; his deputy, Ngozi Odu; and members of the State House of Assembly were not removed but suspended, which he said was part of extraordinary measures required to bring decorum in the state.
Fagbemi finally argued that the president had no choice but a duty to act the way he acted in declaring a state of emergency, and therefore urged the apex court to “dismiss the suit in its entirety.
Counsel for the National Assembly, Charles Yohila, also aligned with the AGF and urged the court to dismiss the case.
Following submissions from all parties, the Supreme Court Reserved Judgment and will communicate the date later.
Join Informant Online WhatsApp Channel With Link Below: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2
