A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has adjourned proceedings to October 13, 2025, to allow President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Sole Administrator of Rivers State to respond to an affidavit filed by a civil society organization, Initiative for Freedom, Conflict Prevention and Social Integration.
The suit challenges the legality of the President’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
In a separate but related case filed by the same organization, this time contesting the National Assembly’s ratification of the appointment of the Sole Administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the court similarly adjourned proceedings to the same date.
The adjournment was granted to allow the plaintiff’s counsel to serve hearing notices on the National Assembly, which was not present in court and had yet to file a formal response.
The civil society organization is questioning the National Assembly’s authority to constitute a committee to oversee emergency governance in Rivers State, as well as its role in approving the state’s 2025 budget.
Recall that, during Monday’s proceedings, Hilton Urbah, counsel to the President, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Sole Administrator, informed the court of a memorandum of conditional appearance and a preliminary objection. Urbah requested more time to respond to the affidavit, a request opposed by the plaintiff’s counsel, Amegua Lezina, but upheld by the court.
Presiding judge, Justice Muhammad Turaki, directed Kingdom Chukwueze, counsel for the plaintiffs in the second suit, to ensure that the National Assembly is duly served with hearing notices before the next sitting. The matter was adjourned to October 13, 2025, for hearing and possible adoption of processes.
Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, Carlis Evans, Country Director of the Initiative for Freedom, Conflict Prevention and Social Integration, stated that the organization is seeking “judicial interpretation of the powers exercised by the President and other respondents in declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State.”
The group has asked the court to determine, among other issues, whether under the provisions of Section 179(1 and 2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the President possesses the legal authority to appoint a sole administrator to act in the capacity of the Executive Governor of Rivers State.
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