Rivers State of Emergency: Supreme Court Judgement, Win For Nigerians – Fagbemi

Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has said the judgement of the Supreme Court affirming the power of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency is a win for all Nigerians.

He said the judgement is a further consolidation to Nigeria’s fledging democracy and has cleared whatever doubt anyone might have had, according to a statement by Kamarudeen Ogundele, S A to the President (Communication and Publicity), Office of the AGF and Minister of Justice.

He said this while reacting to the Supreme Court judgement delivered on Monday in a suit filed by Adamawa State and 10 other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led states, challenging the emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State in March.

AGF Fagbemi said, “I welcome the judgement of the Supreme Court affirming the power granted the President by the constitution to declare a state of emergency in any state in Nigeria, whenever the situation arises.

“The landmark judgement has further straightened our jurisprudence and added another vital ingredients to consolidate our democracy.

“I congratulate all parties in the matter as it is a win for our fledging democracy and has helped to erase any doubt anyone might have had about the action of the President and the endorsement by the National Assembly.

“Nigeria is for all of us, and I assure Nigerians of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to uphold the tenets of democracy and the Rule of Law at all times,” the minister added.