A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has adjourned hearing to October 13, 2025, in a suit filed by a civil society group challenging President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the subsequent appointment of a sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs.
Naijaonpoint reports that the matter, instituted by the Initiative for Freedom, Conflict Prevention and Social Integration, also contests the National Assembly’s role in ratifying the appointment of retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator and its approval of the state’s 2025 budget.
Presiding Judge, Justice Muhammad Turaki, adjourned proceedings after the President, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Sole Administrator of Rivers State requested more time to respond to an affidavit filed by the civil society organisation.
During Monday’s sitting, Hilton Urbah, counsel to the federal respondents, told the court that they had filed a memorandum of conditional appearance and a preliminary objection, and needed more time to formally respond to the claims.
Although counsel to the plaintiff, Amegua Lezina, opposed the request, the court upheld it and granted the adjournment.
In a separate but related suit filed by the same organisation, which contests the National Assembly’s ratification of Ibas’ appointment and its involvement in Rivers’ budget approval, the court also adjourned to October 13.
Justice Turaki directed Kingdom Chukwueze, counsel for the plaintiffs in the second case, to ensure that the National Assembly is duly served with hearing notices before the adjourned date, as the legislative body was not represented in court and had yet to file a formal defence.
Addressing journalists after the court session, Carlis Evans, Country Director of the Initiative for Freedom, Conflict Prevention and Social Integration, said the group is seeking a judicial interpretation of the constitutionality of the emergency measures taken in Rivers State.
“We want the court to clarify whether the President can, under Section 179 (1 and 2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), appoint a sole administrator to function in the capacity of an elected governor,” he said.
The group is also questioning the legality of the National Assembly’s involvement in forming a committee to oversee emergency governance in Rivers and approving the 2025 state budget.