Court Intervenes In Rivers Crisis: Tinubu, Akpabio, And CBN To Answer Emergency Rule Allegations

The suit, identified as Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/45/2025, was initiated by the Incorporated Trustees of Peoples Life Improvement Foundation, Precious Elekima, and Inanna Wright Harry, challenging the legality of the emergency declaration made by the President on March 18, 2025.

Among the defendants are the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the National Assembly, the Attorney General of the Federation, Rivers State Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The plaintiffs argue that the President’s declaration of a state of emergency violates 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).

They are seeking several reliefs from the court, including:

• An order restraining the Sole Administrator from appointing caretaker committees for the 23 local government areas.

• A prohibition against the appointment of commissioners or the awarding of contracts.

• An injunction preventing the administrator from accessing state funds.

• Reinstatement of the suspended executive and legislative arms of the Rivers State Government.

• A perpetual injunction preventing the President from suspending any democratically elected officials in Rivers State.

The court has given the defendants a 30-day window to respond, warning that failure to do so may lead to the case proceeding in their absence.