Supreme Court Halts Funds to Rivers State Government Over Court Order Disobedience
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The Supreme Court has issued a directive preventing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other relevant agencies from releasing funds to the Rivers State Government. This decision comes as a consequence of the government’s failure to comply with prior court orders.
In a detailed judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, the five-man panel of the Supreme Court unanimously dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The appeal challenged the legitimacy of the House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule as Speaker.
Justice Akomaye, in his one-hour, thirty-six-minute judgment, emphasized that Governor Fubara’s attempt to present an appropriation bill before a reduced, four-member House of Assembly was an anomaly.
This action effectively deprived twenty-eight constituencies of proper representation and violated a court order mandating the governor to re-present the 2024 appropriation bill to a fully constituted Assembly chaired by Amaewhule.
The apex court further criticized Governor Fubara’s actions regarding the alleged defection of twenty-eight Assembly members. The court described these actions as acts of brigandage and dictatorship, aimed at preventing the Assembly, under Amaewhule’s leadership, from performing its legitimate duties.
Additionally, the court condemned the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex by Governor Fubara. The demolition was seen as an act of indiscipline and an excessive use of executive power to hinder the Assembly’s operations.
Finally, the Supreme Court’s ruling mandated that Martin Amaewhule resumes his role as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly immediately, alongside other elected members.
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