The Supreme Court has issued an order preventing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other agencies from releasing funds to the Rivers State government. This decision comes as a consequence of what the court describes as a blatant disregard for its rulings.
Delivering a judgment that lasted over an hour, Justice Emmanuel Akomaye led a five-member panel in unanimously rejecting a cross-appeal by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The governor had challenged the legitimacy of the House of Assembly under the leadership of Martin Amaewhule as Speaker.
With the dismissal of Governor Fubara’s appeal, the court directed Martin Amaewhule to immediately reconvene with the elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The ruling criticized Governor Fubara’s decision to present an appropriation bill before a four-member House of Assembly, stating that this denied proper representation to twenty-eight constituencies. The court noted that this action violated an earlier ruling requiring the governor to submit the 2024 budget to a duly constituted Assembly led by Amaewhule.
Furthermore, the court condemned Governor Fubara’s handling of the alleged defection of twenty-eight Assembly members, describing it as an attempt to undermine the legislature. The justices characterized his actions as an abuse of power aimed at obstructing the Assembly from fulfilling its duties.
The court also addressed the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex, attributing it to an excessive use of executive power intended to disrupt legislative proceedings under Speaker Amaewhule.
Local Government Election Declared Invalid
In a separate ruling, the Supreme Court nullified the local government election held on October 5, 2024, by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.
Justice Jamilu Tukur, who delivered the judgment, ruled that the election did not comply with legal standards. The court determined that the electoral process was fundamentally flawed, as voter registration continued beyond the official election announcement.
Citing Section 150 of the Electoral Act, the court found that the necessary steps leading to the election were improperly handled, resulting in a process that failed to meet legal requirements. Consequently, the election was declared void.
