The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday dismissed a suit seeking to nullify President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025.
Presiding Judge, Justice James Omotosho, ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter, noting that only the Supreme Court can decide such constitutional issues.
The suit, filed by Belema Briggs and four others, was thrown out on the grounds that the plaintiffs lacked the locus standi (legal standing) to challenge the presidential proclamation.
Justice Omotosho held that none of the plaintiffs was a member of the Rivers State Executive Committee or House of Assembly, nor did they show they had suffered any injury beyond that of other citizens of the state.
He added that President Tinubu’s justification for the emergency rule to prevent an imminent breakdown of law and order was not disputed, and that the plaintiffs had no authorization from the Rivers State Attorney General to institute the case.
The court further dismissed the claim of fundamental rights violation, holding that the President acted within the law to avert chaos.
Consequently, Justice Omotosho described the case as “frivolous and baseless,” stressing that the plaintiffs could not sue on behalf of the people of Rivers State without their mandate.
It will be recalled that Tinubu’s emergency declaration suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months, while an administrator was appointed to oversee the state’s affairs.
