Federal High Court Summons Tinubu Over State Of Emergency In Rivers

Legal Action Against President Tinubu Gains Momentum

Listen up, folks. A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has officially issued a summons to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and seven other high-profile individuals and entities over his declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. This isn’t just another legal hiccup; it’s a serious challenge that could shake up the political landscape. Let me break it down for you.

Here’s the scoop: The lawsuit, bearing the case number FHC/PH/CS/45/2025, was initiated by the Incorporated Trustees of Peoples Life Improvement Foundation, along with two individuals, Precious Elekima and Inanna Wright Harry. These folks aren’t messing around. They’re taking a bold stand to question the legality of President Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency on March 18, 2025.

Who’s on the Hot Seat?

Now, let’s talk about the defendants. It’s not just the president who’s in the spotlight here. The list includes heavyweights such as the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the National Assembly, the Attorney General of the Federation, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd)—who’s currently the Rivers State Sole Administrator—and even institutions like the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Yeah, that’s quite the lineup.

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But why are they being dragged into this? Well, the plaintiffs believe that the President’s move to declare a state of emergency in Rivers violates key provisions of the Nigerian Constitution. Specifically, they argue it breaches Section 305(3)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement Act). That’s a big deal, folks.

What’s at Stake?

These plaintiffs aren’t just asking for a slap on the wrist. They’re demanding some serious changes. For starters, they want the court to stop the state Sole Administrator from appointing caretaker committees for the 23 local government areas in Rivers State. They’re also asking to halt any new appointments of commissioners or the awarding of contracts. And let’s not forget, they want to bar the administrator from dipping into the state treasury.

But wait, there’s more. The plaintiffs are pushing for the reinstatement of the suspended executive and legislative arms of the Rivers State Government. They’re even seeking a perpetual injunction to prevent the President from suspending any democratically elected officials in the state in the future. That’s a bold move, and it shows they’re not backing down anytime soon.

The Clock is Ticking

The court has given all the defendants a 30-day window to file their responses. Here’s the kicker: if they don’t step up and submit their answers, the court has warned it might proceed with the case in their absence. That’s a risky gamble, and it could mean big trouble for those involved.

This case is more than just a legal battle—it’s a test of Nigeria’s constitutional framework and the balance of power between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. As the drama unfolds, all eyes will be on the Federal High Court to see how it handles this high-stakes situation. Stay tuned, because this story is far from over.