Dagogo’s Legal Team Opposes Transfer of Rivers State Emergency Rule Suit to Abuja

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The legal team representing a former federal lawmaker and 2023 Governorship Aspirant in Rivers State, Dr. Farah Dagogo, has protested the relocation of his legal challenge against the federal government’s emergency rule declaration in Rivers.

The suit, filed in the Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court, was moved to the Abuja Division, following a directive from the Attorney-General of the Federation.

On March 18, 2025, Tinubu declared a State of Emergency in Rivers State, citing alleged security threats.

The president further suspended the state’s democratically elected leadership and appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.) as Administrator of the state.

In response, Dagogo initiated Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/50/2025 on April 9, 2025, challenging the constitutionality of the president’s actions.

The suit named as defendants, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the President of the Senate, the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the appointed Administrator.

The matter, presided over by Honourable Justice Turaki Mohammed, had been adjourned to May 26, 2025, for further proceedings.

However, before the scheduled date, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court approved a request by the Attorney-General of the Federation to transfer the case to Abuja.

In a protest letter addressed to the Chief Judge and copied to the Presiding Judge of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Dr. Dagogo’s lead counsel, Cosmas Enweluzo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, criticised the transfer as a violation of judicial independence and due process.

“Your Lordship, allowing a party to dictate the forum of adjudication sets a dangerous precedent and erodes public confidence in the justice system,” the letter stated.

The legal team argued that the Attorney-General, being a party to the suit through representation of the president, lacked the statutory authority to initiate or influence the transfer of a case from one judicial division to another.