The Supreme Court, on Friday, barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation from releasing federal allocation to Rivers State Government until Governor Siminalayi Fubara presents the Appropriation Bill to Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly.
In its judgment over the Rivers crisis, Justice Emmanuel Agim, leading a five -man panel of the Supreme Court, held that the order subsists until the Rivers State government purges itself of what the court described as “flagrant disobedience to court orders”.
Delivering its verdict in a one hour, 36 minutes, the apex court was unanimous in its dismissal of the cross-appeal by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, challenging the validity of the House of Assembly presided over by Martin Amaewhule as the Speaker.
Dismissing Governor Fubara’s appeal, the Supreme Court ordered Martin Amaewhule to resume sitting immediately with other elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Justice Agim then said, “It is an aberration” for Governor Fubara to have purportedly presented an appropriation bill before a four-man House of Assembly, thereby denying 28 constituencies of effective representation in vagrant violation of a court order mandating him (Fubara) to re-present the 2024 appropriation bill before a validly constituted Assembly led by Amaewhule.”
The apex court further held that the action of Governor Fubara over the alleged defection of 28 members of the Rivers Assembly is an act of brigandage and dictatorship aimed at preventing the House from performing its legitimate functions under the speakership of Amaewhule.
Details shortly.
