A lawsuit against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu contesting the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, was dismissed by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly were suspended for six months after Tinubu declared a state of emergency.
Additionally, it resulted in the appointment of an administrator who oversaw the operations throughout that time.
Justice Omotosho ruled that Belema Briggs and four other plaintiffs lacked the legal authority to commence the action in a lawsuit they filed against the emergency rule.
According to the judge, only the Supreme Court has the authority to decide a case like this.
According to the Court’s ruling on Thursday, none of the five plaintiffs claimed to be members of the House of Assembly or the State Executive Committee, nor did they sustain any injuries that were more severe than those sustained by the rest of Rivers State’s population.
Even worse, the Court ruled that none of the plaintiffs had the Attorney General of the State’s approval to file the lawsuit.
Furthermore, according to Justice Omotosho, the plaintiffs did not contest or contest President Tinubu’s assertion that he declared a state of emergency to prevent an impending collapse of law and order.
According to Justice Omotosho, Tinubu used the proper Emergency Rule Order statute to avert the unpleasant circumstance, hence the plaintiffs’ allegation of a fundamental rights violation against him was unfounded.
According to Justice Omotosho, the case was invalid and frivolous since it was instituted on behalf of other Rivers residents without first obtaining their consent.
Details will be provided later.
