adminreporter
A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has dismissed a suit filed by Civil Society Organization known as Initiative for Freedom, Conflict Prevention and Social Integration against President BOLA TINUBU, Attorney General of Federation and Sole Administrator of Rivers State, over legality of the action of the President.
The group in an Originating Sumon, had sought the court to determine whether by virtue of stipulation and construction of section 305 of 1999 constitution of Nigeria as amended, the President can and by his proclamation suspend an executive governor of a state with reference to the case of Rivers State.
The Civil Society Organization also demanded the court to determine whether by virtue of stipulation and construction of section 179(1 and 2 ) of 1999 constitution as amended, an Appointee, Sole Administrator of Rivers State as declared by President TINUBU can take over the affairs of the official capacity of the executive governor of Rivers State.
The plaintiff equally asked a declaration of the court that the proclamation by President BOLA TINUBU suspending the governor of Rivers State is ultra vires, grossly illegal and in contravention with intendment of section 305 of 1999 constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria amongst other reliefs.
The presiding Judge, Justice MUHAMMAD TURAKI in his judgment held that the plaintiff lack locus standi to institute the suit with the governor of Rivers State SIMINALAYI FUBARA as a joinder sighting similar case from Oyo state, hence the suit has become an academic exercise and therefore dismissed same.
Our correspondent reports that while counsel to defendants declined to speak on the judgment, counsel to the plaintiff. AMEGUA LEZINA in an interview with newsmen outside the courtroom said they will study the judgment to know the next line of action.
In a separate suit by the same Initiative for Freedom, Conflict Prevention and Social Integration challenging the legality of the National Assembly’s ratification of the appointment of the Sole administrator of Rivers State, retired Vice Admiral IBOK ETE IBAS, the court adjourned to 23rd of January, 2026 judgment.
The presiding Judge, Justice MUHAMMAD TURAKI gave the adjournment after parties adopted their final written addresses.
The group is questioning the authority of the National Assembly to set up a committee to oversee the emergency rule in Rivers State as well as receipts of the 2025 budget of the state.
Other defendants in the suit include the Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral IBOK ETE IBAS, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the National Assembly.
Also in another suit filed by the same Civil Society Organization, challenging the appointment and constitution of Chairman and members of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, the court presided over by Justice MUHAMMAD TURAKI adjourned till 5th of December, 2025 for adoption for processes.
The plaintiff counsel, KINGDOM CHUKWUEZI, spoke on the bases of the two suits especially the suit challenging the activities of national assembly.
