The Supreme Court has prohibited the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other relevant agencies from disbursing funds to the Rivers State government until it rectifies what the court has characterized as blatant disregard for court orders.
In a judgment lasting one hour and thirty-six minutes, delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, the five-member panel of the court unanimously rejected the cross-appeal submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, which contested the legitimacy of the House of Assembly chaired by Martin Amaewhule as Speaker.
In dismissing Governor Fubara’s appeal, the court mandated Martin Amaewhule to immediately resume his duties alongside the other elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The court determined that it was improper for Governor Fubara to have allegedly introduced an appropriation bill before a four-member House of Assembly, thereby depriving twenty-eight constituencies of adequate representation, in clear violation of a court order that required him to present the 2024 appropriation bill to a properly constituted Assembly led by Amaewhule.
Furthermore, the apex court asserted that Governor Fubara’s actions regarding the purported defection of twenty-eight members of the Rivers Assembly constituted an act of lawlessness and authoritarianism, aimed at obstructing the House from fulfilling its legitimate responsibilities under the leadership of Amaewhule.
Additionally, the court deemed the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex by Governor Fubara as an act of misconduct, reflecting an excessive use of executive power intended to undermine the functioning of the Assembly led by Amaewhule.