The Supreme Court has issued an order preventing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other relevant agencies from disbursing funds to the Rivers State government.
This decision, the court stated, will remain in effect until a properly constituted House of Assembly is in place.
In a judgment that lasted one hour and thirty-six minutes, Justice Emmanuel Akomaye delivered the unanimous verdict on behalf of the five-member panel, dismissing Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s cross-appeal.
The governor had challenged the legitimacy of the Assembly led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
Following the ruling, the court directed Amaewhule and other elected lawmakers to resume legislative activities without delay.
The justices declared that it was improper for Governor Fubara to present an appropriation bill to a four-member Assembly, leaving 28 constituencies without representation. The court criticized this action as a “flagrant violation” of its directive, which required the governor to present the 2024 budget to a legally recognized Assembly headed by Amaewhule.
The court further condemned Governor Fubara’s handling of the alleged defection of 28 Assembly members, describing it as “an act of brigandage and dictatorship” aimed at obstructing the Assembly’s legislative duties under Amaewhule’s leadership.
Additionally, the court called out the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex as an “act of indiscipline,” accusing the governor of using executive power excessively to disrupt the Assembly’s proceedings.
