On Friday, the Supreme Court reaffirmed its ruling prohibiting the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation from disbursing statutory monthly allocations to Rivers State.
The apex court also directed the faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Hon. Martins Amaewhule, along with other elected members, to resume legislative activities without interference.
It criticized the Court of Appeal in Abuja for overturning the initial order that halted the release of funds to the state, citing Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s failure to re-present the 2024 Appropriation Bill before the Amaewhule-led Assembly.
The Supreme Court ruled that, contrary to the appellate court’s decision, the Federal High Court in Abuja had the jurisdiction to hear the lawsuit filed by the 27 lawmakers challenging the withdrawal and expenditure of state funds without legislative approval.
In a lead judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the five-member panel stated that the Court of Appeal misinterpreted the case by focusing solely on the state’s consolidated revenue.
The Supreme Court emphasized that the core issue was Governor Fubara’s refusal to comply with a standing court order requiring him to present the Appropriation Bill before a legally constituted Assembly.
The court upheld the status of the 27 lawmakers who allegedly defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), affirming that they remain valid members of the Assembly until a final decision is reached on their defection.
It dismissed Fubara’s justification for presenting the budget to only five remaining lawmakers, stating that the doctrine of necessity could not be applied to validate an unlawful act.
Accusing the governor of destabilizing the government due to his fear of impeachment, the Supreme Court imposed a N5 million fine against him.
