The Supreme Court has prohibited the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other government agencies from disbursing funds to the Rivers State government until it complies with court orders, which the court described as being flagrantly disregarded.
In a judgment lasting one hour and thirty-six minutes, Justice Emmanuel Akomaye delivered the unanimous verdict of the five-member panel, dismissing Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s cross-appeal challenging the legitimacy of the House of Assembly led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
By rejecting Fubara’s appeal, the court directed Amaewhule to reconvene the Assembly immediately alongside other duly elected members.
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The court ruled that it was improper for Governor Fubara to present an appropriation bill before a four-member Assembly, thereby depriving 28 constituencies of proper representation.
This, the court noted, was a blatant violation of an earlier ruling instructing him to re-present the 2024 budget before a lawfully constituted Assembly under Amaewhule’s leadership.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court described Fubara’s handling of the alleged defection of 28 lawmakers as an act of lawlessness and authoritarianism, aimed at preventing the Assembly from carrying out its legislative duties under Amaewhule’s speakership.
Additionally, the court condemned the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex by Governor Fubara, calling it an abuse of executive power meant to obstruct the Assembly’s operations.
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