The Federal High Court in Abuja has thrown out a case filed against President Bola Tinubu over the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State.
Justice James Omotosho gave the ruling on Thursday, stating that the five plaintiffs, including Belema Briggs, had no legal power to challenge the president’s decision.
He noted that none of them was a member of the Rivers State Executive Council or House of Assembly, nor did they suffer any special harm different from the general public.
Tinubu had in March 2025 declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the House of Assembly for six months. A sole administrator was appointed to manage the state during the period.
The plaintiffs argued that the president’s move violated their fundamental rights, but the judge held that Tinubu acted within the law to prevent a breakdown of order.
“The claim that the declaration was made to avert unrest was not disputed,” Justice Omotosho said, describing the case as baseless and frivolous.
The president later lifted the emergency rule on September 18, 2025, after six months, but not before more than 40 suits were filed against the move, including one by the Peoples Democratic Party at the Supreme Court.
