Lawyers representing former lawmaker Farah Dagogo say President Bola Tinubu acted against the constitution when he suspended Rivers State's elected government. The legal team made this claim Thursday during a court hearing in Abuja. Dagogo filed the lawsuit after Tinubu declared a state of emergency and replaced the state government with an administrator. The case challenges whether the president has power to remove democratically chosen officials.
Dagogo's lawyer Babafemi Adegbite told reporters the president cannot legally suspend elected leaders and install his appointee. The lawsuit targets Tinubu's March decision to declare an emergency over security concerns. Tinubu removed the governor and state legislature from office. He named retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the new administrator. The legal challenge argues this action violates constitutional limits on presidential authority.
The federal court moved the case from Port Harcourt to Abuja at the attorney general's request. Judge James Omotosho heard arguments from defense lawyers who asked for more time to respond. The judge scheduled the next hearing for July 9th. Dagogo filed his constitutional challenge on April 9th against multiple defendants. The case questions fundamental separation of powers between federal and state governments.
Dagogo's lawyer Babafemi Adegbite told reporters the president cannot legally suspend elected leaders and install his appointee. The lawsuit targets Tinubu's March decision to declare an emergency over security concerns. Tinubu removed the governor and state legislature from office. He named retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the new administrator. The legal challenge argues this action violates constitutional limits on presidential authority.
The federal court moved the case from Port Harcourt to Abuja at the attorney general's request. Judge James Omotosho heard arguments from defense lawyers who asked for more time to respond. The judge scheduled the next hearing for July 9th. Dagogo filed his constitutional challenge on April 9th against multiple defendants. The case questions fundamental separation of powers between federal and state governments.
