The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s March 18, 2025 declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The emergency rule, which suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the State House of Assembly for six months, allowed an administrator to take charge of the state’s affairs.
Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the plaintiffs, Belema Briggs and four others, lacked the legal standing to file the case. He explained that only the Supreme Court has jurisdiction to hear such matters.
The judge further held that the claimants were not members of the state government, legislators, or individuals who suffered any special harm beyond that of the public. He also pointed out that they filed the action without the approval of the Rivers State Attorney General.
Justice Omotosho upheld the President’s justification for the proclamation, saying it was a lawful step to avert a breakdown of security in the state. He described the suit as frivolous and baseless, stressing that the plaintiffs had no authority to act on behalf of Rivers people.
