Court dismisses suit challenging Tinubu’s suspension of Fubara, Rivers Assembly

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking to nullify the six-month suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly by President Bola Tinubu.

The suspension, announced on March 18 following the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, elapsed on September 18. During the period, President Tinubu appointed a sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs.

Dissatisfied with the move, five indigenes of Rivers, led by Mr. Belema Briggs, approached the court to challenge its constitutionality.

Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho held that the plaintiffs lacked the locus standi to file the suit, as they neither proved membership of the House of Assembly nor showed any injury suffered beyond other citizens.

The court further noted that the plaintiffs failed to present any authorization from the state Attorney General to act on behalf of Rivers State, and could not counter the claim that the emergency rule was imposed to avert a breakdown of law and order.

Justice Omotosho also ruled that the plaintiffs could not establish that their fundamental rights were breached, stressing that the proper forum for such a matter would have been the Supreme Court.

He therefore dismissed the case, describing it as frivolous and baseless, and held that the plaintiffs lacked the mandate of Rivers people to act on their behalf.