The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has approved the transfer of all cases filed at the court’s Port Harcourt division relating to the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu to its Abuja division.

The cases also concern the subsequent suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

A document obtained by our correspondent on Thursday listed the affected cases to include Dr. Farah Dagogo v President & 4 Others (Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/50/2025);  Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative & Another v The Administrator (Suit No: FHC/PHC/CS/46/2025); Incorporated Trustee of Rivsbridge Peace v President & Others (Suit No: FHC/PH/SC/43/2025); Incorporated Trustee of People’s Life Improvement Foundation & Others v The President & 2 Others (Suit No: FHC/PH/SC/2025); Belema Briggs & 4 Others v The President & Others (Suit No: FHC/PH/SC/51/2025); and Samuel T. O. Amatonje Esq v The President & Others (Suit No: FHC/PH/SC/53/2025).

Justice Tsoho said the transfer was carried out in accordance with Order 49, Rule 2 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019.

It was also gathered that before the approval, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), had written to the Federal High Court requesting the transfer of the cases from Port Harcourt to Abuja, citing relevant provisions of the court rules.

At the time of filing this report, the fate of some cases that had already commenced hearing in the Port Harcourt Division—such as Dr. Farah Dagogo v President & 4 Others—remains unclear.

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