The Supreme Court has ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), and other relevant agencies to withhold any financial allocations to the Rivers State Government until it complies with court orders. This decision comes as a result of the state’s flagrant disobedience to judicial directives.
In a judgment lasting one hour and thirty-six minutes, the five-man panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, unanimously dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The governor had challenged the validity of the Rivers State House of Assembly, which is presided over by Martin Amaewhule as Speaker.
The court’s ruling emphasized that Governor Fubara’s actions, including the presentation of the 2024 appropriation bill before a four-member House of Assembly, were in violation of a prior court order. The court found that the move effectively denied twenty-eight constituencies their right to representation, underscoring that the governor’s decision was a flagrant breach of the court’s mandate to re-present the budget before a properly constituted Assembly.
In its judgment, the Supreme Court described the governor’s conduct regarding the defection of 28 lawmakers as “brigandage” and a “dictatorial” attempt to prevent the Assembly, under Amaewhule’s leadership, from carrying out its constitutional duties. The court also condemned the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex by Governor Fubara, calling it an act of indiscipline and excessive use of executive power aimed at undermining the Assembly’s functions.
Following the ruling, the court directed that Martin Amaewhule should immediately resume sittings with the other elected members of the Assembly, reaffirming the legitimacy of the House under his leadership.
