The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has fixed May 26, 2025, for the hearing of a constitutional suit filed by Dr. Farah Dagogo, a former federal lawmaker and 2023 Rivers State governorship aspirant. The suit challenges President Bola Tinubu’s suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Professor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
President Tinubu had declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, citing a prolonged political crisis that he claimed threatened vital national assets in the oil sector. In a sweeping move, he suspended the state’s democratically elected leadership and appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the state’s Sole Administrator.
In response, Dr. Dagogo filed Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/50/2025 on April 9, 2025, asserting that the President’s actions were unconstitutional and exceeded his executive powers.
At Monday’s hearing, the plaintiff’s counsel, Cosmas Enweluzo, SAN, informed the court that all defendants had been duly served with court documents and expressed readiness to proceed with the case. The defendants listed in the suit include President Tinubu, Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Nigerian Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and Vice Admiral Ibas.
Only the fifth defendant, Vice Admiral Ibas, was represented in court by his counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, who sought additional time to respond to the originating summons. After hearing submissions from both parties, Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed granted the extension but stressed that proceedings would move forward on May 26, regardless of further delays.
Speaking to journalists after the session, Enweluzo criticized the President’s declaration of emergency rule, describing it as unconstitutional. “The President cannot act as a ‘Tin god.’ He does not have the constitutional authority to suspend elected representatives or govern over four million Rivers people and those doing business in Rivers State by fiat. It is a constitutional aberration and must not be allowed,” he asserted.
Enweluzo further argued that the justification of insecurity for the emergency declaration was baseless, highlighting that states like Benue, Plateau, and Borno had faced more severe security challenges without a state of emergency being imposed. “Rivers State has remained relatively peaceful,” he added.
He commended Dr. Dagogo for his willingness to challenge the President’s decision, stating, “We are grateful for principled leaders like Dr. Farah Dagogo who are willing to defend the Nigerian Constitution. Citizens have a right to be governed by officials they have elected and represented by legislators of their constituencies in Degema, Bonny, and others.”
Enweluzo provided insight into the adjournment, explaining that Vice Admiral Ibas’s counsel informed the court that they were in the process of filing documents at the court registry in response to the originating summons. According to Enweluzo, the fifth defendant’s team requested an adjournment to complete the filing process, and the plaintiff’s team did not object in the spirit of fairness.
He further noted that, despite being served, none of the other defendants had filed a memorandum of appearance, conditional appearance, or any legal response to the suit.
Meanwhile, Ogunwumiju, SAN, representing Vice Admiral Ibas, declined to comment when approached by journalists after the hearing.
