The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the suit filed by former lawmaker and 2023 governorship aspirant, Dr. Farah Dagogo, challenging the constitutional basis of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of Emergency Rule in Rivers State.

Justice James Omotosho, in his ruling on Friday, held that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter and awarded costs against Dagogo for insisting otherwise. The suit had queried the legal authority under which the President suspended both the state’s executive and legislative arms, and appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Administrator during the six-month emergency period.

Originally filed in Port Harcourt, the case was later transferred to Abuja on the directive of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

Speaking after the judgment, Dagogo’s counsel, Barr. Babafemi Adegbite, expressed dissatisfaction and confirmed that his client would proceed to the Court of Appeal.

 “We firmly believe the President erred by suspending duly elected officials. We will pursue judicial clarification,” Adegbite insisted.