Rivers in Fresh Crisis as Court Stops Federal Allocation, Gives Reasons.
In a landmark ruling, the Federal High Court in Abuja has barred the federal government from releasing monthly allocations to Rivers State.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the order, prohibiting the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from allowing the state access to funds in the consolidated revenue account.
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This court action comes in response to a suit filed by the Hon. Martins Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, challenging Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s alleged disregard for court directives.
The plaintiffs in the case, which also named Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Governor Fubara, and the Rivers State Government, argued that the governor has been violating previous court orders.
Court Stops Rivers Allocation Over Disputed House Leadership.
The Amaewhule-led faction urged the court to suspend federal allocations for Rivers State, accusing Governor Fubara of failing to present the 2024 Appropriation Bill to their assembly faction.
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The plaintiffs cited a court decision that had previously recognized Hon. Amaewhule as the legitimate Speaker, thereby nullifying a competing budget proposal presented to the faction led by Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo. The Court of Appeal also upheld Amaewhule’s status as the official Speaker.
Justice Abdulmalik’s ruling is rooted in allegations that Governor Fubara has made unauthorized withdrawals from the state’s consolidated revenue fund, a move the plaintiffs argue breaches Section 120 of the 1999 Constitution.
This decision underscores the intensifying conflict over the Rivers State House of Assembly’s leadership and its far-reaching implications for the state’s financial management.
Rivers Political Crisis Escalates: Pro-Fubara Faction Challenges Ruling
The political crisis in Rivers deepened earlier this year as the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led faction of the House of Assembly contested the resolutions from the Amaewhule faction. In July, the Amaewhule-led assembly barred Governor Fubara from accessing public funds due to his failure to submit the budget.
In contrast, Oko-Jumbo’s faction, which claims that Amaewhule and 24 other members are no longer part of the House, has urged INEC to conduct by-elections to fill the disputed seats.
Justice Omotosho, in a separate ruling, annulled the 2024 Rivers budget passed by pro-Fubara legislators, ordering the governor to re-submit it to the legally recognized assembly under Amaewhule’s leadership. The judgment also directed Governor Fubara to provide funds to the Assembly and prohibited any interference in its operations.
