Emergency Rule: Court fixes date for hearing of case by former lawmaker, Dagogo

A High Court in Abuja has fixed July 9, 2025, for the hearing of a suit filed by former Rivers State Federal lawmaker, Farah Dagogo, against President Bola Tinubu and others, over the declaration of emergency rule and the subsequent suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu and members of the State House of Assembly.

Presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, had adjourned the matter following a request by counsels to the first and fifth defendants, Professor Kanyinsola Ajayi, SAN, and Abduljabar Aliyu, who sought an extension of time to enable them respond adequately to the plaintiff’s processes.

A legal representative of the plaintiff, Babafemi Adegbite, did not oppose the request.

The suit, initially filed at the PortHarcourt Division of the Federal High Court, was transferred to the Abuja Division following a directive from the Attorney-General of the Federation to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.

Dagogo is challenging the constitutionality of the President’s actions in Rivers State, particularly the imposition of an administrator in a state with a democratically elected government.

He maintains that the President lacks the constitutional authority to unilaterally suspend a democratically elected administration and replace it with an appointed administrator.