A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has adjourned to May 26, 2025, the hearing of a constitutional suit challenging President Bola Tinubu’s suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The suit was filed by Dr. Farah Dagogo, a former member of the House of Representatives and 2023 governorship aspirant under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State. Dagogo is contesting the legality of President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in the state on March 18, 2025, and the subsequent suspension of elected officials.
President Tinubu had cited security concerns as the basis for the emergency declaration and appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.) as the sole Administrator of the state.
Challenging this action, Dagogo filed Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/50/2025 on April 9, 2025, arguing that the President’s move was unconstitutional and exceeded the powers granted to him by the Nigerian Constitution.
At Monday’s court session, Dagogo’s lead counsel, Cosmas Enweluzo, SAN, informed the court that all five defendants had been properly served with court processes and expressed readiness to proceed. The listed defendants include President Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.).
Of the five, only Ibas appeared through his counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, who requested more time to respond to the originating summons. Justice Adamu Mohammed granted the request but warned that the case would proceed on the next adjourned date regardless of further delays.
Speaking to reporters after the proceedings, Enweluzo reiterated that President Tinubu acted outside the bounds of the Constitution.
“The President has no constitutional authority to unilaterally suspend elected officials and install an unelected administrator over a democratic state. This is a clear violation of the Constitution,” Enweluzo said.
He questioned the justification for the state of emergency, pointing out that more severe security issues persist in other parts of the country without similar federal intervention.
“In states like Benue, Plateau, and Borno, insecurity is rampant—people are being killed, and some areas remain under terrorist control. Yet, no state of emergency was declared. Rivers State, on the other hand, has remained relatively peaceful,” he added.
Enweluzo praised Dr. Dagogo for taking legal action, calling it a necessary step in defending Nigeria’s democratic system.
“The people of Rivers State deserve representation by leaders they elected—not a military-style administration imposed without constitutional backing,” he said.
He also explained the reason for the adjournment, noting that it was granted out of fairness as it was the first request by the fifth defendant’s legal team.
“All other defendants have been served, but none have entered an appearance or filed a response,” he added.
Counsel to Vice Admiral Ibas, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, declined to comment on the proceedings.
