A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed that court documents challenging the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State be served on President Bola Tinubu, Sole Administrator Ibok-Ete Ibas, and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Justice James Omotosho issued the order on Monday, also instructing that the process be served to the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and set the next hearing for May 21.
During the court session, the applicants’ counsel, Ebun-Oluwa Adegboruwa (SAN), informed the court that additional time was needed to serve the documents.
Yirbari Israel Nulog, Nengim Ikpoemugh Royal, and Gracious Eyoh-Sifumbukho have approached the court to challenge the appointment of Ibas as the sole administrator for Rivers State, asking the court to annul his appointment and prevent him from continuing in the role.
The plaintiffs are also seeking an injunction that would restrain President Tinubu, Ibas, and their agents from treating or continuing to treat the deputy governor and members of the House of Assembly as suspended by the President.
Their case is built on the argument that, according to Sections 1(1) and (2) and 176(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as indigenes and residents of Rivers State, they are entitled to a democratically elected governor who would serve as the state’s chief executive.
