The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in a suit challenging President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The case was heard by a seven-man panel led by Justice Inyang Okoro. The plaintiffs in the suit are the Attorneys General of 10 states, while the defendants are the Federal Government and the National Assembly.
During the proceedings, Delta State withdrew from the suit, a move not opposed by the counsel for the federal government, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). Counsel for the plaintiffs, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), argued that their case was not a denial of the President’s power to proclaim a state of emergency but challenged the extent to which the proclamation affected the offices of the governor, deputy governor, and the State House of Assembly.
In response, Lateef Fagbemi stated that there was no threat in the process of the proclamation and that the plaintiffs had not proven any. He noted that Rivers State was engulfed in a crisis involving the governor and the executives, prompting the President’s action in March. He further submitted that the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara; his deputy, Ngozi Odu; and members of the State House of Assembly were not removed but suspended as part of extraordinary measures required to restore order in the state. Fagbemi emphasized that the President had a duty to act in declaring a state of emergency.
Counsel for the National Assembly, Charles Yohila, aligned himself with the Attorney General of the Federation’s submission and urged the court to dismiss the case.
After listening to the parties in the suit, the apex court reserved judgment, with a date to be communicated to the parties involved.
