Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the Rivers State Government’s request to stay proceedings in a case aimed at stopping fund allocations to all local government areas in the state.
The judge characterized the government’s request as frivolous and unmeritorious.
The suit was initiated by the Rivers State House of Assembly and Speaker Hon. Martin Amaewhule, who sought to compel the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to withhold local government funding.
Despite the Rivers State Government’s objections to the hearing taking place in Abuja, the court proceeded, leading the state to seek intervention from the Court of Appeal. The government subsequently filed an appeal along with a motion requesting that the Federal High Court suspend proceedings until the appeal is resolved.
However, after considering arguments from the state’s counsel, Justice Abdulmalik firmly dismissed the request, affirming the court’s intention to continue with the case.
