In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation to immediately cease financial allocations to the Rivers State government.
The apex court ruled that the suspension will remain in effect until Governor Siminalayi Fubara halts what it described as “illegal, unlawful, and unconstitutional activities.”
Delivering the judgment on Friday, Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim ordered that no funds be released to the state government until a valid Appropriation Law is enacted under the speakership of Martin Amaewhule. The court also directed the 27 lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly to resume their legislative functions without obstruction.
The five-member panel, led by Justice Musa Uwani Aba-Aji, declared all actions taken by Governor Fubara unlawful, criticizing his administration for demolishing the House of Assembly complex in an attempt to prevent the legislators from performing their duties.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court reinstated the Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the House of Assembly, ruling that their redeployment was illegal. The court emphasized that the governor’s reliance on only four out of 32 lawmakers was a blatant disregard for constitutional governance.
Citing Fubara’s immunity under Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution, the justices condemned his actions, stating that he had “collapsed the House of Assembly” to further his political agenda. The ruling also affirmed previous judgments by the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court, which had declared the governor’s actions against the 27 lawmakers unlawful.
As part of the ruling, the court imposed a N10 million fine on Fubara, payable to the House of Assembly and the 27 lawmakers who filed the lawsuit.
The Supreme Court also upheld an earlier decision by the Federal High Court, which ruled that the governor’s unilateral presentation and implementation of the 2024 budget before only four lawmakers violated constitutional provisions.
The court reiterated that the continued receipt and disbursement of state funds by the governor, since January, amounted to a constitutional aberration that must be stopped immediately.
This ruling marks a significant legal and political development in Rivers State, setting the stage for a power struggle between the executive and legislative arms of government.
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