A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit challenging President Bola Tinubu’s emergency declaration in Rivers State.
Justice James Omotosho ruled the plaintiffs lacked legal standing and described the case as frivolous.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has dismissed a suit seeking to overturn President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s March 18, 2025 proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The emergency declaration, which resulted in the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months, was challenged in court by Belema Briggs and four others.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho held that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to institute the action. He explained that only the Supreme Court has the constitutional power to determine such disputes, not the Federal High Court.
The judge further noted that none of the five plaintiffs demonstrated that they were members of the state’s executive council, lawmakers, or individuals directly affected in a manner greater than other residents of Rivers State. He also pointed out that they did not obtain authorization from the state’s Attorney General to file the case.
Justice Omotosho observed that the President’s justification for declaring the emergence namely, to prevent a breakdown of law and order was not adequately disputed by the plaintiffs. He added that the allegations of human rights violations could not stand since Tinubu acted within the provisions of the law governing emergency powers.
The court ultimately described the suit as frivolous and without merit, stressing that the plaintiffs could not claim to represent the mandate of Rivers people without due authority.
