The Rivers State Government has formally appealed a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja, stopping the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from disbursing federal allocation funds to the state.
This ruling, delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, found that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s submission of the 2024 budget to a four-member faction of the Rivers House of Assembly was unconstitutional.
Justice Abdulmalik berated the governor for disbursing the state’s monthly federal allocations since January, declaring it a violation of constitutional provisions. “The implementation of an unauthorized budget by Fubara amounts to a severe breach of the 1999 Constitution,” she ruled.
The court’s ruling also barred the CBN, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Zenit Bank, and Access Bank from allowing Fubara access to funds from the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Account.
In the case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024, Justice Abdulmalik emphasized that the legislative body backing Fubara’s claims had previously been invalidated by both a Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal. She confirmed, “The Amaewhule-led Assembly remains the lawful legislative body.” the judge insisted.
Since the announcement, the Government House in Port Harcourt has been a frantic hive of various stakeholders and government functionaries, indicating the seriousness of the situation. An urgent meeting with the governor, his cabinet, and Finance Minister Wale Edun is ongoing.
The state’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, confirmed that “an appeal has been filed” and expressed confidence in the Appeal Court’s potential to overturn the judgment. “We saw this judgment coming,” he said, referring to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik’s judgment on Wednesday.
However, Commissioner Johnson warned about potential fallout: “If the Court of Appeal upholds this judgment, it will affect teachers’ salaries and all who are attached to council salaries.“
The government of Fubara is asking citizens to remain calm. On the streets, it is believed that the governor’s problem is entirely political, arising from the power struggle with his estranged political godfather, former Gov. Nyesom Wike.
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