Appeal Court Dismisses Case Against Tinubu, Fubara, Lawmakers

An Appeal Court in Port Harcourt has dismissed an appeal filed by His Highness Anabs Sara-Igbe and nine others challenging a Rivers State High Court ruling led by Justice Chinwendu Nworgu.

The original suit, which was against President Bola Tinubu, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Martins Amaewhule, and 24 others, was dismissed due to a lack of jurisdiction. Justice Nworgu had previously ruled that the court did not have the authority to hear the case brought by Sara-Igbe and the other Rivers elders.

On Friday, a three-judge panel of the Appeal Court, headed by Justice Elfreda Oluwayamisi-Dawodu, upheld the lower court’s decision. The panel agreed that the state High Court lacked jurisdiction and described the plaintiffs’ appeal as a mere academic exercise.

The claimants had sought a constitutional interpretation on whether President Tinubu could direct the governor to present the 2024 budget to 24 lawmakers, led by Amaewhule, despite their seats being declared vacant. Justice Nworgu had previously struck out the suit for lack of jurisdiction, prompting the appeal.