A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking to nullify President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of emergency rule in Rivers State.
The case, instituted by Belema Briggs and four others, was struck out on Thursday by Justice James Omotosho, who ruled that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to bring the matter before the court.
According to the judge, only the Supreme Court has the jurisdiction to determine issues surrounding a presidential proclamation of a state of emergency.
He further explained that none of the plaintiffs was a member of the Rivers State Executive Council or House of Assembly, nor did they demonstrate that they suffered any peculiar injury.
The court also faulted the plaintiffs for not obtaining the consent of either the Attorney General of the Federation or the citizens of Rivers State before instituting the case.
Justice Omotosho described the suit as “frivolous and baseless.”
He maintained that President Tinubu’s action was within the ambit of the Emergency Rule Order, stressing that the government’s position that the measure was necessary to prevent a collapse of law and order in Rivers was not challenged.
President Tinubu had declared a state of emergency in Rivers State in March, citing rising political tensions and repeated attacks on oil facilities.
Under the proclamation, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the House of Assembly were suspended from office.
The President appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as Administrator of the state to oversee affairs during the period.
The federal government said the drastic measure was necessary to restore peace, protect vital oil infrastructure, and prevent an escalation of violence and instability in the region.
After six months, on September 17, Tinubu announced the suspension of the emergency rule, citing significant improvement in security and political cooperation.
Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the lawmakers immediately returned to office, receiving a warm reception from their supporters.
During the emergency, Rivers citizens had staged protests demanding a return to democratic governance.
