By Eric Moore
THE Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has approved the transfer of all cases in its Port Harcourt Division, relating to the declaration of Emergency Rule in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu and subsequent suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu and members of the State legislature, to its Abuja Division.
A document sighted by the reporter listed the cases to include; Dr. Farah Dagogo vs President & 4 others in Suit No: FHC/PH/ CS/50/2025, and Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative & Another vs The Administrator with Suit No: FHC/PHC/CS/46/2025.
Others affected are: Incorporated Trusted of Rivsbridge Peace vs President & others in Suit No: FHC/PH/SC/43/2025, Incorporated Trustee of People’s Life Improvement Foundation & others vs the President & 2 others in Suit No: FHC/PH/SC/2025, Belema Briggs & 4 others vs the President and others in Suit No: FHC/PH/SC/51/2025, and Samuel T. O. Amatonje Esq vs President & others in Suit No: FHC/ PH/SC/53/2025.
According to the Chief Judge, the cases were transferred to Abuja Division in pursuant to Order 49, Rule 2 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedures) Rules, 2019.
It was further gathered that before approving the transfers, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), had written to the Federal High Court citing the Court Rules for a transfer of the cases from the Port Harcourt Division to its Abuja Division.
It could not be ascertained what would be the fate of some of the cases that had already commenced hearing in the Port Harcourt Federal High Court, such as Dr. Farah Dagogo vs President & 4 others (Suit no FHC/PH/ CS/50/2025) among others.