A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit challenging the proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The state of emergency, declared on March 18, 2025, led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months, as well as the appointment of an administrator to oversee the state’s affairs.
The lawsuit, filed by five plaintiffs, including Belema Briggs, was dismissed by Justice James Omotosho, who ruled that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to institute the case. According to the judge, such a case can only be heard by the Supreme Court. The court also noted that none of the plaintiffs were members of the State Executive Committee, members of the House of Assembly, or had suffered any injury greater than the rest of the people of Rivers State.
Furthermore, the court observed that none of the plaintiffs had obtained the fiat of the Attorney General of the State to initiate the case. The judge also noted that President Tinubu’s claim that the state of emergency was imposed to prevent a breakdown of law and order was not challenged or disputed by the plaintiffs. As a result, the court held that the plaintiffs’ claim of breach of fundamental rights did not hold water, given that the President had invoked the appropriate law on Emergency Rule Order to address the situation.
The court ultimately dismissed the case as frivolous and baseless, citing the lack of mandate from other people of Rivers State to institute the lawsuit on their behalf. The dismissal of the lawsuit brings an end to the legal challenge against the state of emergency proclamation in Rivers State. The development is significant, given the ongoing political and security dynamics in the region. With the court’s ruling, the focus is likely to shift to the implications of the state of emergency and the administration of the state by the appointed administrator.
