Former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has praised the Supreme Court for its ruling that prohibits the release of funds to the Rivers State Government until the State House of Assembly is duly constituted.
Speaking on the verdict on Friday, Wike emphasized that the decision upheld the rule of law and signified the end of what he termed “impunity” in the state.
“It is happiness for Rivers people. It is happiness for Nigerians that, yes, this impunity must stop. Enough is enough. We can’t continue with this,” Wike said.
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The Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant-General of the Federation must withhold financial allocations to Rivers State.
A five-member panel, led by Justice Emmanuel Agim, also recognized the Martins Amaewhule-led Assembly as the legitimate legislative body for the state. The judgment overturned an earlier Court of Appeal ruling that had nullified a Federal High Court decision on the matter.
The ruling stemmed from a previous decision by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, who, on October 24, 2024, ordered the CBN to stop disbursing funds to the state government.
Additionally, major banks, including Zenith Bank and Access Bank, were directed to freeze transactions involving the state’s accounts.
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that Governor Siminalayi Fubara violated the Constitution by presenting the 2024 budget before only four out of 31 lawmakers.
The Supreme Court upheld this position, declaring the act unconstitutional and invalid.
“The Rivers State allocation fund is to be withheld until the unconstitutional actions are corrected,” the court ruled.
Justice Agim likened Fubara’s actions to “bigamy” and condemned his decision to demolish the Assembly complex, arguing that it was an attempt to prevent 27 defected lawmakers from sitting.
Reacting to the judgment, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, insisted that Rivers State would not tolerate unconstitutional governance, emphasizing the need for accountability in public office.
“We are not prisoners of war or a conquered people. We must challenge illegality, and we will not allow it,” Wike asserted.
He also criticized Fubara’s handling of the crisis, accusing him of disregarding court orders and constitutional provisions.
“You swore to uphold the Constitution, yet you dismiss court rulings as corrupt. Today, the Supreme Court has made it clear—go back and follow the law,” he added.
The Supreme Court justices warned that executive overreach threatens democracy, stressing that governance cannot function without all three arms of government.
“The governor’s unlawful actions cannot be justified,” Justice Agim ruled.
Additionally, the court ordered the reinstatement of the Rivers Assembly Clerk, Deputy Clerk, and other legislative staff who had been unlawfully removed.
Justice Agim criticized the governor for misusing his constitutional immunity under Section 308, calling it “an act of indiscipline driven by executive power.”
The court imposed a ₦5 million fine against Fubara and reaffirmed the 27 lawmakers as the rightful members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Wike commended the judiciary for standing firm against impunity and praised his legal team for securing the ruling.
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