The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has adjourned to May 26, 2025, the hearing of a constitutional suit filed by former federal lawmaker and 2023 Rivers State governorship aspirant, Dr. Farah Dagogo, challenging President Bola Tinubu’s suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Professor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
President Tinubu had, on March 18, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing a prolonged political crisis that he said threatened national oil assets. He subsequently suspended the state’s elected leadership and appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator of the state.
In response, Dr. Dagogo filed Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/50/2025 on April 9, arguing that the President’s actions were unconstitutional and exceeded the powers granted to him by the Nigerian Constitution.
At Monday’s hearing, the plaintiff’s counsel, Cosmas Enweluzo, SAN, confirmed that all defendants had been duly served and that they were prepared to proceed. However, only the fifth defendant, Vice Admiral Ibas, was represented in court. His counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, requested additional time to respond to the originating summons.
Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed granted the extension but warned that the matter would proceed on the next adjourned date regardless of any further delays.
Speaking with journalists after the hearing, Enweluzo described the President’s actions as a “constitutional aberration.”
“The President cannot act as a ‘Tin god.’ He has no constitutional right to suspend duly elected representatives or impose an unelected administrator over the people of Rivers State,” Enweluzo said.
He further argued that the justification of insecurity was unjustified, noting that other states like Benue, Plateau, and Borno — facing more severe security challenges — had not been subjected to a state of emergency.
“Rivers State remains relatively peaceful. This action is selective and dangerous for our democracy,” he added.
He also praised Dr. Dagogo for taking a bold legal step to challenge the suspension, saying,
“Citizens deserve to be governed by leaders they elected. Anything short of that is a violation of democratic principles.”
Enweluzo disclosed that none of the other listed defendants — including President Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Nigerian Senate, and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas — had filed any legal response or memorandum of appearance.
Meanwhile, counsel to the fifth defendant, Ogunwumiju, declined to comment after the court session.
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