Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order stopping the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from further releasing monthly funds to the Rivers State Government.
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s handling of monthly financial allocations since January was unconstitutional and must cease. She emphasized that Governor Fubara’s 2024 budget proposal presented to just four members of the Rivers House of Assembly was a serious breach of constitutional standards.
As part of her decision, Justice Abdulmalik directed the CBN, the Accountant General of the Federation, as well as Zenith Bank and Access Bank, to restrict Fubara’s access to funds from both the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Accounts.
Earlier this October, the Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld a previous decision from the Federal High Court, nullifying an N800 billion budget passed by five members of the Rivers House of Assembly, led by Edison Ehie. The appellate court dismissed Fubara’s appeal, citing a lack of merit. The court found that Fubara had withdrawn his counter-affidavit at the trial stage, making him ineligible to appeal the case.
In a unanimous ruling, the court expressed that Governor Fubara should uphold the rule of law rather than power. The court criticized the executive dominance in the Rivers House of Assembly as excessive and unwarranted.
Additionally, Justice Omotosho nullified the 2024 budget passed by lawmakers aligned with Governor Fubara, mandating that the governor present the budget to the full House of Assembly under the leadership of Martin Amaewhule. Fubara initially submitted the N800 billion “Budget of Renewed Hope, Consolidation, and Continuity” to only five out of over 30 assembly members in December 2023.
Justice Omotosho further ordered Governor Fubara to release all funds due to the House of Assembly and to refrain from interfering in its operations.
