The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt adjourned a constitutional lawsuit that challenged River Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Lt. Governor Professor Ngozi ODU, and members of the River State Capitol, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The case was rescheduled on May 26, 2025.
The lawsuit was filed by former federal lawmaker and 2023 Rivers Governor aspiring Dr. Farah Dagogo, who defended the legitimacy of state officials who President Tinob decided to suspend democratic elections and appointed Deputy Admiral Ibok Ibok Ibas (RTD) as Rivers State Administrator. The president believes that the state’s insecurity is the basis for declaring a state of emergency on March 18, 2025.
Dagogo, in the lawsuit FHC/PH/CS/2025 filed on April 9, believed that the president’s actions were unconstitutional and exceeded the powers granted under the Nigerian Constitution.
In Monday’s lawsuit, plaintiff’s attorney Cosmas Enweluzo, San, informed the court that all five defendants had been properly served. The defendants include President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Nigeria Senate, and House Speaker Hone Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and Ibas Deputy Admiral.
Of all the defendants, only the IBA deputy admiral appeared through his legal representative San, San’s Kehinde Ogunwumiju, who asked for more time to respond to the original call. Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed granted the extension but warned that the court would conduct the matter on the next adjournment date, regardless of further delays.
After the hearing, Enweluzo reiterated that the case revolved around the president’s violation of the constitution. “The president cannot act as a ‘tin god’. He lacks the power to suspend elected officials or control the governance of more than 4 million citizens in Rivers State.
He also dismissed the reason for insecurity and pointed out that other states with more serious safety issues (such as Benue, Plateau and Borno) did not comply with emergency rules. “The River State is still relatively peaceful,” Neveruzo said.
He praised Dagogo for launching the legal challenge, stressing that Nigerians have the right to be governed by their elected representatives rather than being ruled by President Fiat.
In explaining the adjournment, Enweluzo pointed out that the lawyers of the fifth defendant requested additional time to respond to the lawsuit. “Because this is their first extension application, we have no objection,” he said.
He further noted that despite being served, none of the other defendants filed a memorandum of appearance or any legal response to the lawsuit.
