The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP has announced the initiation of a lawsuit against the president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over the suspension of Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara. The suit by SERAP also challenged the legality of the president’s decision to suspend his deputy and members of the state house of assembly.
The suit was brought by Yirabari Isreal Nulong, Nengim Ikpoemugh Royal, and Gracious Eyoh-Sifumbukho who are members of the SERAP Volunteers’ lawyers network in Rivers State.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibas (retd.), are joined in as defendants in the suit.
In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/558/2025 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the plaintiffs are seeking “an order setting aside the suspension of the democratically elected officials in Rivers State by President Tinubu while proclaiming a state of emergency in the state.”
The plaintiffs also seek “an order setting aside the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) as the sole administrator of Rivers State.”
In the suit, the plaintiffs argued that “the rule of law would be a mere figure of speech if the people’s right to participation can be arbitrarily suspended or violated.”
It was filed on behalf of the plaintiffs by their lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN).
“The suspension is entirely inconsistent and incompatible with the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the country’s obligations under article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and articles 2, 3, and 4 of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance.”
“The combined provisions of sections 1(2), 14(1)(c), 176(1)(2), and 305(1) of the Nigerian 1999 Constitution create a delicate balance of rights and responsibilities, balancing the exercise of the President’s power against the people’s right to participation in their own government, and the notion of respect for the rule of law,” the suit read.
No date has been fixed for the hearing.
