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A Delta State High Court sitting in the Oleh Judicial Division has dismissed a suit challenging the Delta State Government over alleged marginalization of Isoko North and Isoko South Local Government Areas in the allocation of state resources in the 2025 Appropriation Bill.
The case, filed a Suit No. HCO/M/16/2025 between Ejumejowo Anthony Asuotu & Anor v. Attorney-General of Delta State & 3 Ors, came up for judgment on March 26, 2026s, before Hon. Justice C. O. Emifoniye.
When the matter was called, all parties were absent. A. F. Ogheneruvwe held brief for G. A. Omomuwho on behalf of the Applicants, while T. F. Doigbagha appeared for the 3rd and 4th Respondents. There was no representation for the 1st and 2nd Respondents.
Justice Emifoniye considered four key issues for determination, including whether the court had jurisdiction, whether policy and budgetary matters were justiciable, whether the Applicants had locus standi, and whether they were entitled to the reliefs sought.
The court held that the Applicants failed to demonstrate any special or peculiar interest affected by the 2025 budget beyond that of other Isoko indigenes. Consequently, they lacked the requisite locus standi to initiate the suit.
The court further ruled that the claims centered on policy formulation and budgetary allocation, matters constitutionally classified as non-justiciable. Justice Emifoniye affirmed that courts lack the authority to determine how state resources should be allocated, advising the Applicants to instead engage policymakers within the Executive Arm to pursue their demands.
In an obiter remark, the judge observed that the personal appearance of the Attorney-General in earlier proceedings signaled that the state government acknowledges the concerns raised by Isoko communities.
Having resolved the critical issues against the Applicants, the court concluded that the request for substantive reliefs was rendered academic.
The suit was accordingly dismissed for lack of merit, with no order as to costs.
