The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a significant ruling, barring the Federal Government from disbursing further monthly allocations to Rivers State. This decision comes amid a legal dispute within the Rivers State House of Assembly, following a lawsuit filed by the Hon. Martins Amaewhule-led faction, which challenges the actions of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The court order, delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, specifically directs the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to restrict the state’s access to funds in the consolidated revenue account.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/984/24, highlights an internal power struggle, with the Amaewhule faction arguing that Governor Fubara has not complied with prior court rulings. The plaintiffs contend that Fubara failed to re-submit the 2024 Appropriation Bill to their faction, despite a previous court ruling recognizing Hon. Amaewhule as the legitimate Speaker of the Rivers State Assembly. This recognition also invalidated an initial budget proposal received by a separate faction led by Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo.
Justice Abdulmalik’s decision builds on an earlier ruling by Justice James Omotosho, which supported the Amaewhule-led faction. The plaintiffs further allege unauthorized fund withdrawals by Governor Fubara from the consolidated revenue funds, citing potential breaches of Section 120 of the 1999 Constitution.
This judgment effectively escalates the political and legal tensions within Rivers State, with the state’s access to federal funds suspended until compliance with the court’s directives is confirmed.
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