October 02, (THEWILL) — The Federal High Court in Abuja has upheld President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State, dismissing a suit that sought to invalidate the directive.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho held that the action filed by Belema Briggs and four others was “incompetent, frivolous and lacking in merit,” stressing that the plaintiffs had no legal authority to challenge the President’s decision.
The plaintiffs had prayed the court to nullify Tinubu’s March 18, 2025, emergency declaration in the oil-rich state. But the judge ruled that they lacked the locus standi to sue, pointing out that they were neither members of the State Executive Council nor the House of Assembly, and had not been authorized by the Rivers State Attorney General to represent the state.
“The claimants did not show that they suffered any injury greater than the rest of the people of Rivers State. They also failed to establish the authority to act on behalf of the state,” Justice Omotosho held.
He further ruled that the President acted within the provisions of the law in declaring the emergency, citing Tinubu’s justification that it was necessary to avert a looming breakdown of law and order.
On the plaintiffs’ claim of breach of fundamental rights, the court also found no basis, ruling that Tinubu’s action was lawful and targeted at safeguarding the state and its citizens.
Describing the suit as “baseless and speculative,” Justice Omotosho added that the plaintiffs had attempted to speak for the entire people of Rivers without any legal mandate.
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