A Civil Society Organization, Initiative for Freedom, Conflict Preservation and Social Integration, has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu, Attorney General of Federation, and Sole Administrator of Rivers State, challenging the legality of the President’s actions in suspending the Governor of Rivers State and appointing a Sole Administrator.
The group’s Originating Summons seeks the court’s determination on two key issues, Whether the President’s proclamation suspending the Governor of Rivers State is ultra vires and grossly illegal, contravening Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria; and Whether an appointee, Sole Administrator of Rivers State, can lawfully take over the affairs of the official capacity of the Executive Governor of Rivers State*, under Section 179(1 and 2) of the 1999 Constitution.
The plaintiffs are seeking several reliefs, including: A declaration that the President’s proclamation suspending the Governor is unconstitutional, null, and void.
A declaration that the appointment of the Sole Administrator is unlawful and unconstitutional. An order setting aside the suspension of the Governor and the appointment of the Sole Administrator.
During the court hearing, counsel to the second and third defendants, Ola Faro, requested more time to respond to the originating summons, which was not opposed by the plaintiff’s counsel, Amegua Lezina.
The presiding judge, Justice Muhammad Turaki, adjourned the matter to July 21, 2025, for hearing.
Speaking to newsmen outside the courtroom, the Plaintiff Counsel, Lezina, clarified that the suit is not in favour of or against anyone but is intended to preserve the rule of law and constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In a separate suit, the Civil Society Organization, Initiative for Freedom, Conflict Preservation and Social Integration, has also filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, challenging the legality of the National Assembly’s ratification of the appointment of the Sole administrator of Rivers State, retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas.
The group is also questioning the authority of the National Assembly to set up a committee to oversee the emergency rule in Rivers State as well as receipts of the 2025 budget of the state.
The defendants in the suit include the Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the National Assembly.
When the case came up in court, counsel to the first and second defendants, Ola Faro, requested more time to respond to the originating summons, which was not opposed.
The presiding judge, Justice Muhammad Turaki, adjourned the matter to July 21, 2025, for hearing.
Speaking to newsmen outside the courtroom, the plaintiff’s counsel, Kingdom Chukwuzi, explained why his client is in court, especially their relief over the actions of the National Assembly in a position that is not recognized by law.
Meanwhile, no counsel represented President Bola Tinubu in court, and counsel to two of the defendants, Ola Faro, declined to speak on the matter.