The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected a lawsuit aimed at overturning President Bola Tinubu‘s suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and certain members of the state House of Assembly.
This suspension was enacted following the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, lasting for six months until it expired on September 18. During this period, President Tinubu appointed a sole administrator to manage the state’s affairs.
In response, a group of five Rivers State natives, led by Mr. Belema Briggs, filed a suit challenging the legality and constitutionality of the President’s suspension.
On Thursday, Justice James Omotosho delivered the verdict, ruling that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to bring the case against the President. The court emphasized that none of the claimants held the position of governor or were members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and they failed to show any specific harm beyond that experienced by the general populace of the state.
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Justice Omotosho also highlighted that the plaintiffs did not secure permission from the Rivers State Attorney General to initiate the lawsuit and failed to provide sufficient evidence supporting their allegations.
The court dismissed the claim that President Tinubu’s actions violated the plaintiffs’ fundamental rights, noting that they could not establish that due legal procedures were bypassed prior to the emergency declaration.
Furthermore, the judge remarked that the nature of the dispute was more appropriately addressed by the Supreme Court.
In closing, Justice Omotosho labeled the suit as “frivolous and without merit,” underscoring that the plaintiffs had no authority to represent other Rivers State indigenes in this legal matter.