A State High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State’s capital, dismissed a petition filed by the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum contesting the legitimacy of President Bola Tinubu’s “peace pact” with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
The presiding judge, Justice Chinwendu Nwogu, dismissed the lawsuit on the grounds that the state High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear it.
At the start of the court hearing, counsel for the claimant contended that all respondents in the matter had yet to be served with court summons, and the case could not be considered unless all parties were served.
After the session, the lead counsel for the complainant, Emmanuel Rukari, expressed reservations about the decision of the state high court.
Also, a member of the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum, Anabs Sara-Igbe, said the Forum would appeal the decision of the high court.
The Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum led by Former Governor of Rivers State, Rufus Ada-George had condemned the “peace pact” reached by Fubara and Wike’s camps after Tinubu’s intervention, saying the agreement was undemocratic and harmful.