Court Adjourns Suit Challenging Tinubu’s Suspension Of Rivers Governor, Assembly

• Court Adjourns Suit Challenging Tinubu’s Suspension Of Rivers Governor, Assembly.
• Plaintiff Dagogo says Tinubu’s suspension order unconstitutional.
• Only Rivers Administrator’s lawyer appeared; others yet to respond.

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

EDITOR’S PICKS 

• Suspended Senator Natasha Hails Tinubu in Viral Video, Fuels Defection Talks
• Opposition Coalition: Peter Obi, El-Rufai Meet in US
• BREAKING: Eredo LCDA Boss, Ismail Monsuru Emerges APC Candidate Ahead of July 12 LG Poll

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the suit was filed by Dr. Farah Dagogo, a former federal lawmaker and 2023 Rivers State governorship aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Dagogo is contesting the legality of President Tinubu’s actions, which followed the declaration of a state of emergency in the state, citing security concerns.

On March 18, 2025, President Tinubu announced the suspension of the elected state leadership and appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) as the sole Administrator of Rivers State. In response, Dagogo filed Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/50/2025 on April 9, asserting that the President acted beyond his constitutional powers.

At Monday’s court session, Dagogo’s lead counsel, Cosmas Enweluzo (SAN), confirmed that all five defendants in the suit had been duly served. He also stated the legal team’s readiness to proceed. The defendants include President Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and Vice Admiral Ibas.

However, only Vice Admiral Ibas was represented in court through his counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), who requested more time to respond to the originating summons. Justice Adamu Mohammed granted the request but warned that the court would proceed with the matter on the next adjourned date regardless of any delays.

Speaking to journalists after the hearing, Enweluzo strongly criticised the President’s actions, describing them as a “constitutional aberration.”

“The President cannot act as a Tin god. He has no legal authority to suspend elected officials or impose a sole administrator over four million citizens. That is not what our Constitution prescribes,” Enweluzo said.

He also questioned the rationale for declaring a state of emergency in Rivers, contrasting it with other states facing far worse security situations.

“Benue, Plateau, and Borno have experienced ongoing insecurity with killings and Boko Haram occupation in parts, yet no state of emergency was declared. Rivers has remained relatively peaceful,” he noted.

Enweluzo praised Dagogo for taking legal action, describing it as a defence of democratic principles and constitutional governance.

Court Adjourns Suit Challenging Tinubu’s Suspension

He clarified that the adjournment was granted following a request from counsel to the fifth defendant, Vice Admiral Ibas, and stressed that the court would not tolerate further delays.

“All the other defendants have neither filed an appearance nor responded to the suit. The court has now fixed May 26, 2025, as the final adjournment to allow proceedings to begin in earnest,” Enweluzo added.

Vice Admiral Ibas’s lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), declined to comment on the proceedings.

FURTHER READING

• JUST IN: US Produces First Ever Pope – Identity Of New Pope Revealed
• Ikosi-Ejinrin LCDA Sets Legislative Record as Chairman Anomo Showcases Stewardship Achievements
• JUST IN: President Bola Tinubu Arrives Anambra on State Visit

Watch Our Video Of The Week

---

Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:

Kindly contact us at [email protected]. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.

Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.

Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611