A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has adjourned the hearing of a suit contesting the suspension of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and other elected officials to May 26, 2025.
The legal action, instituted by Farah Dagogo — a former federal lawmaker and one-time Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant — questions the legality of President Bola Tinubu’s decision to suspend Fubara, his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, and members of the state House of Assembly.
The case, initially scheduled for hearing on Monday, May 12, saw none of the key defendants, including President Tinubu, represented in court. The only appearance came from Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired), who was present through his legal representative, Kehinde Ogunwumiju.
Recall that on March 18, 2025, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing persistent security challenges fueled by political instability. The announcement was swiftly followed by the suspension of all democratically elected officials in the state and the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibas as the sole administrator.
Reacting to the president’s move, Dagogo filed the suit numbered FHC/PH/CS/50/2025, arguing that “Tinubu’s actions” were without constitutional authority and went beyond the powers granted by law, according to The Punch.
At the court session, Cosmas Enweluzo, counsel to Dagogo, informed the court that all parties in the suit had been duly served and that they were ready for the matter to proceed. Meanwhile, Ogunwumiju requested additional time to respond to the originating summons on behalf of his client.
Presiding over the case, Justice Adamu Mohammed granted the extension but firmly warned that the next hearing would go ahead as scheduled, with or without further delays.
Speaking to journalists afterward, Enweluzo maintained that the president’s decision violated the provisions of the “constitution”, reinforcing their legal challenge against the suspension.
