Court Slams Down Tinubu's Emergency Rule Suit"

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit filed against President Bola Tinubu's proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025. Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment, holding that the five plaintiffs, led by Belema Briggs, lacked the legal standing to institute the case.

The court ruled that the plaintiffs did not have the legal power to file the suit, as they were not members of the State Executive Committee or the House of Assembly, and did not suffer any injury greater than the rest of the people of Rivers State. Furthermore, the court noted that the case, as constituted, could only be determined by the Supreme Court, not the Federal High Court.

The plaintiffs failed to dispute President Tinubu's claim that the state of emergency was imposed to avert a looming breakdown of law and order. The court described the suit as frivolous and baseless, noting that the plaintiffs did not obtain the mandate of the people of Rivers State before instituting the case on their behalf.

President Tinubu had declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months. A sole administrator was appointed to oversee the state's affairs during this period. The emergency rule was later lifted on September 18, 2025, after six months.

The court's decision has brought an end to the legal challenge against President Tinubu's emergency declaration. However, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party's suit challenging the declaration is still pending before the Supreme Court.