Court Dismisses Suit Against Tinubu Over Rivers’ Emergency Rule

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to challenge the March 18, 2025, declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

In its judgment on the suit filed by Belema Briggs and four others, the court held that the plaintiffs lacked the legal power to institute it.

The judge said that such a case as constituted can only be determined by the Supreme Court.

According to the court, none of the five plaintiffs claimed to be members of the State Executive Council, members of the House of Assembly or suffered any injury greater than the rest of the people of Rivers state.

Worse still, the court held that none of the plaintiffs claimed to have the fiat of the attorney-general of the state to initiate the case.

Besides, Justice Omotosho said the plaintiffs did not challenge or dispute President Tinubu’s claim that he imposed a state of emergency to avoid a looming breakdown of law and order.

Omotosho held that the claim of breach of fundamental rights by the plaintiffs by Tinubu did not hold water because the appropriate law on emergency rule order was invoked by Tinubu to save an unpleasant situation.

Justice Omotosho said the case was frivolous and baseless because the mandate of other people of Rivers was not obtained before instituting it on their behalf.