Rivers Crisis: Appeal Court Rejects Suit Against Tinubu, Fubara, Amaewhule
The Appeal Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a group of elders, led by High Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, challenging certain recommendations from a peace deal facilitated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The lawsuit targeted President Tinubu, Rivers State Governor Sir Siminialayi Fubara, Speaker Martins Amaewhule, and 27 other lawmakers. The elders opposed a resolution that required Governor Fubara to re-submit the 2024 budget to Speaker Amaewhule’s House.
Initially dismissed by the State High Court, overseen by Justice Chinwendu Nwogu, due to lack of jurisdiction, the elders appealed the decision. However, a three-judge panel at the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Elfreda Oluwayamisi-Dawodu, also struck down the suit, reaffirming that the trial court did not have the authority to hear the case.
The judgment, which led to celebrations among the lawmakers’ supporters, described the plaintiffs’ actions as merely an academic exercise.
