By Taiye Agbaje
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, dismissed a suit seeking a refund of all Rivers’ monies in the Consolidated Revenue Fund released, appropriated and expended by the Sole Administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.
Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling, held that the Federal High Court (FHC) has no jurisdiction to determine the subject matter, having stemmed from the presidential proclamation of the state of emergency.
The judge upheld the objection raised by lawyers to the defendants, including Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, who represented Ibas in the case.
Justice Omotosho held that it is only the Supreme Court that had the exclusive and original jurisdiction to determine the validity of the declaration of an emergency rule by the president.
Ibas was appointed the sole administrator of Rivers for six months after President Bola Tinubu suspended democratic structures and declared state of emergency on the state following a prolonged crisis.
Ibas vacated office after the state of emergency elapsed with the restoration of all democratic structures on 18 September.
Also, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had earlier dismissed s suit challenging the declaration of state of emergency on Rivers by President Bola Tinubu.
Source; PM News