Rivers: Court cautions parties, adjourns suit challenging Fubara, others’ suspension

Fubara

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has adjourned until May 26, 2025, the constitutional suit challenging the suspension of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu, and all members of the State House of Assembly by President Bola Tinubu.

The suit was filed by a former federal lawmaker and People’s Democratic Party Rivers State Governorship aspirant in the 2023 general election, Dr. Farah Dagogo.

President Tinubu had, on March 18, 2025, declared a State of Emergency in Rivers State, citing security concerns.

He further announced the suspension of the state’s democratically elected leadership and appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rated).as the Administrator of Rivers State.

In response, Dr. Dagogo filed Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/50/2025 on April 9, 2025, arguing that the President’s actions were ultra vires and lacked any constitutional backing.

At the hearing on Monday, counsel to the plaintiff, Cosmas Enweluzo, SAN, informed the court that all defendants had been duly served and expressed readiness to proceed with the case.

The defendants in the suit include President Bola Tinubu, Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired), Rivers State Administrator. Punch