The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has adjourned proceedings to October 13, 2025, in a high-profile case challenging President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The legal action, filed by the civil society group Initiative for Freedom, Conflict Prevention and Social Integration, seeks judicial interpretation of the President’s constitutional authority to declare the emergency and appoint a sole administrator in place of a duly elected governor.
Presiding judge, Justice Muhammad Turaki, granted the adjournment to allow President Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, time to respond to an affidavit submitted by the organisation.
During Monday’s hearing, Hilton Urbah, counsel to the President and other federal respondents, informed the court of a memorandum of conditional appearance and a preliminary objection, requesting more time to formally respond. Although the request was opposed by the plaintiff’s counsel, Amegua Lezina, the court ruled in favour of the adjournment.
In a separate but related suit also filed by the organisation, the court adjourned proceedings on a challenge to the National Assembly’s ratification of Ibas’s appointment and its role in approving the state’s 2025 budget. The delay was to allow the plaintiffs to serve hearing notices on the National Assembly, which had yet to appear in court or file a response.
Kingdom Chukwueze, representing the plaintiffs in the second suit, was directed to ensure proper service to the National Assembly ahead of the October sitting.
Speaking outside the courtroom, Carlis Evans, Country Director of the Initiative for Freedom, said the organisation is asking the court to clarify whether, under Section 179(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the President has the power to appoint a sole administrator in place of an elected governor.
The group insists that such actions pose serious constitutional concerns and may undermine democratic governance in the state.
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