Court grants substituted service in Dagogo’s suit against Tinubu, Akpabio, Ibas

The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has granted an order for substituted service in a legal action brought by Hon. Dr. Farah Dagogo against several high-profile defendants, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd).

The case, with Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/50/2025, was heard by Honourable Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. ]

The latter’s appointment as the Sole Administrator for Rivers State has been a subject of controversy.

In a motion ex parte filed on April 8, 2025, Dagogo’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), C. I. Enweluzo, requested the court to grant permission for substituted service of the originating summons and other court processes.

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This request was made due to the challenges encountered in serving the defendants personally.

Justice Mohammed, after reviewing the affidavit sworn by Solomon Ayotamuno, a litigation assistant from Liberty Chambers, and listening to arguments from Dagogo’s legal counsel—including Femi Adegbite Esq., M. Dayi Esq., Daso Jack, and D. Bakweri Esq.—granted the application for substituted service.

This order allows the court papers to be served through alternative means, such as by publication or by leaving them at a designated location, ensuring that the legal process can proceed despite the difficulties in personal service.