Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice James Omotosho has dismissed a suit filed against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the March 18, 2025 proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Delivering judgment this Thursday (2/10/25) in the case brought by Belema Briggs and four others, Justice Omotosho declared that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to institute the action, adding that it could only be properly determined by the Supreme Court.
Justice Omotosho who pointed out that the plaintiffs did not obtain authorisation from the state Attorney-General to pursue the matter, further held that none of them was a member of the State Executive Council or House of Assembly, nor had they demonstrated suffering any injury greater than that of the general
The Judge noted that President Tinubu’s justification for imposing the state of emergency was to prevent a breakdown of law and order and which was neither challenged nor disproved.
According to him, a breach of fundamental rights could not stand, as the President had lawfully invoked emergency powers to safeguard the state.
Justice Omotosho therefore described the suit as frivolous and baseless, as the plaintiffs had no mandate to act on behalf of the people of Rivers State.
Recall, Tinubu had suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months, and consequently appointed an administrator to oversee the affairs of Rivers State.
