A federal High Court in Abuja has directed that court documents in a case challenging the legality of the state of emergency declared in Rivers State be served on President Bola Tinubu, Sole Administrator Ibok-Ete Ibas, and the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The order was issued on Monday by Justice James Omotosho. He also ordered that the papers be served on the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
The case was filed by Yirbari Israel Nulog, Nengim Ikpoemugh Royal, and Gracious Eyoh-Sifumbukho. They want the court to cancel the appointment of Ibas as the sole administrator of Rivers State and to stop him from performing or continuing in that role, following his appointment on March 18.
The applicants are also asking for, “An order of injunction restraining the 1st (Tinubu), 3rd (Ibas) defendants, including their agents, representatives or such other persons acting on their behalf from treating or continuing to treat the deputy governor and members of the House of Assembly as having been suspended by the 1st defendant (Tinubu).”
They argue that under Sections 1(1) and (2) and 176(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as indigenes and residents of Rivers State, they have the right to be governed by a democratically elected Governor who should serve as the state’s chief executive.
Earlier in the proceedings, the applicants’ lawyer, Ebun-Oluwa Adegboruwa (SAN), told the court that they needed more time to serve the court documents.
According to Naija News reports, the case was adjourned to May 21.
