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Abuja – A rights group, SERAP, has sued President Bola Tinubu. This is about the state of emergency in Rivers State. The lawsuit challenges the suspension of the state’s Governor, his deputy, and lawmakers.
Legal Action: SERAP’s Case Against the President
The suspensions came with the state of emergency. They have sparked debate about rights and democracy. SERAP filed the lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Three members of SERAP’s lawyer network in Rivers State brought the case. The Attorney General, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the new Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), are also named.
SERAP says the suspensions go against the Nigerian Constitution. They also violate international laws. These include the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Democracy at Risk? SERAP’s Main Points
“Democracy is part of the rule of law,” SERAP stated. The group argues that Section 305, which lets the president declare a state of emergency, is not absolute. This power must not undermine democracy.
The lawsuit wants to overturn the suspensions. It also wants to block the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.).
SERAP warns that the suspensions have hurt Nigeria’s elections. They threaten democracy. “The rule of law is meaningless if people’s rights are violated,” said SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
The plaintiffs want the court to declare Tinubu’s actions “unlawful.” They also want to stop the new administrator from taking office. No hearing date has been set.
