Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed against President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of emergency rule in Rivers State.

The case, brought by Belema Briggs and four others, sought to challenge the legality of the declaration. However, Justice Omotosho ruled that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to institute the case, explaining that only the Supreme Court has the jurisdiction to determine such a matter.

He noted that none of the plaintiffs were members of the State Executive Committee, the House of Assembly, or had suffered any specific injury, and that they also lacked the Attorney General’s approval to proceed.

The judge upheld the President’s position, stating that Tinubu’s claim that the emergency was necessary to prevent a breakdown of law and order was “undisputed.” He added that allegations of fundamental rights violations could not stand since the President acted within the framework of the Emergency Rule Order. Omotosho concluded that the case was frivolous and baseless, stressing that the plaintiffs did not obtain the consent of Rivers citizens before filing.

President Tinubu declared the state of emergency in March, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly. He appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Administrator to oversee the state, citing political instability and attacks on oil infrastructure as reasons for the move.

The emergency was lifted on September 17 after the federal government reported restored political cooperation and improved security. Fubara, his deputy, and Assembly members resumed their duties the following day, greeted by jubilant supporters.

President Bola Tinubu will on October 8 commission the $400m Otakikpo Onshore Crude Oil Export Terminal in Rivers State, marking the first crude export facility built in Nigeria in over 50 years.

Developed by Green Energy International Limited (GEIL), operators of the Otakikpo field in OML 11 at Ikuru town, Andoni Local Government Area, the project is the first wholly indigenous onshore terminal in the country since the Forcados Terminal was commissioned in 1971.

The inauguration is expected to draw key stakeholders, including the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and senior industry leaders.

According to GEIL’s Executive Director of Legal and Corporate Services, Olusegun Ilori, the project directly aligns with President Tinubu’s vision to ramp up production and resolve Nigeria’s crude evacuation challenges. “This project is a strategic infrastructure that supports the administration’s commitment to raising output while reducing costs,” Ilori said.

The Otakikpo terminal, with an initial storage capacity of 750,000 barrels expandable to three million and a loading capacity of 360,000 barrels per day, is expected to significantly cut production costs for local producers. Industry experts note it could also unlock crude from more than 40 stranded oil fields that have struggled with evacuation bottlenecks.

Chairman and CEO of GEIL, Professor Anthony Adegbulugbe, hailed the development as a “game-changing national infrastructure,” adding: “What we have achieved here is not just a storage solution, but a pathway for about 40 stranded oil fields to finally contribute to the economy.”

The commissioning highlights the Federal Government’s renewed effort to restore investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil sector, which has grappled with declining production, pipeline vandalism, oil theft, and rising operational costs in recent years.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has dismissed all commissioners and other public office holders in his administration with immediate effect. The move, announced on Wednesday evening in Port Harcourt by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, follows the recent Supreme Court judgment.

During a valedictory session with his cabinet to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, Governor Fubara expressed gratitude to the outgoing officials for their service and contributions to the state over the past two years. The statement read in part: “Rivers State Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has thanked members of his cabinet for their services and contributions to the development of the state in the last two years.

The governor highlighted the significance of Nigeria’s Independence, and called on all Nigerians to work together with Mr President to build a peaceful, secure and prosperous country and a brighter future for all. Furthermore, the Governor has relieved all Commissioners and other public officers affected by the recent Supreme Court judgment of their appointments with immediate effect.”

The governor further pledged to serve the state “with renewed vigour,” while extending appreciation to Rivers people for their continued support and wishing Nigerians a happy Independence anniversary.

It will be recalled that Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), who served as administrator during the emergency rule imposed by President Bola Tinubu, had earlier suspended all commissioners, special advisers, and assistants appointed by Fubara, as well as dissolved boards and parastatal heads.

Since Ibas left office on September 18, the fate of Fubara’s appointees had remained uncertain. The Rivers State House of Assembly has already called on the governor to present a new list of commissioner nominees for screening, along with the 2025 budget.