Rivers gov’t vows to upturn judgement withholding monthly allocations to State

Rivers State Government said it will appeal the Federal High Court judgment withholding state monthly allocations, saying the ruling of the court was not in the interest of Rivers people and unconstitutional.

On Wednesday, the Justice Joyce Abdulmalik-led Federal High Court sitting in Abuja in a case between Rivers Government vs State House of Assembly ruled that State monthly allocations be withheld by the Central Bank of Nigeria until the proper members of the Assembly approve the 2024 annual budget for the State.

The ruling has intensified the ongoing political strife between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, who is affiliated with former Governor Nyesom Wike.

The court’s ruling, issued by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, found that Governor Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 budget to only four Assembly members was unconstitutional. The judge highlighted the governor’s improper use of state funds without full legislative approval, labeling it a breach of constitutional mandates.

In a statement, Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Joseph Johnson, voiced confidence in the appeal, criticizing the trial judge’s rejection of significant motions, including the inclusion of 23 council chairmen and the state’s efforts to change its legal counsel.

The ruling requires the CBN, along with Zenith Bank and Access Bank, to prevent disbursement of state funds until the budget is properly approved by a constitutionally valid Assembly. This decision stems from a lawsuit initiated by the Rivers House of Assembly, which contends that Governor Fubara did not adhere to a prior court order to resubmit the 2024 Appropriation Bill to the faction led by Amaewhule.

As the appeal process unfolds, the political climate in Rivers State remains fraught with uncertainty, with both parties preparing for potential repercussions in this escalating conflict.